Elapatra reveals Brahma's prophecy to save the snakes
The snakes are doomed by a prophecy of Janamejaya's snake-sacrifice. In their terror, the snake Elapatra reveals a secret he overheard as a child: a divine plan for their salvation, hinging on a sage, a woman with the same name, and a son not yet born.
The snakes knew the prophecy was certain. King Janamejaya of the Pandavas would perform a snake-sacrifice, and great terror would result for them. Led by their king, Vasuki, they gathered in despair, seeking any possible remedy.
Elapatra, one of the snakes, spoke. "This sacrifice is certain. The king from whom our terror results is also certain. O king, one who is afflicted by destiny can find a remedy in destiny alone. There can be no other recourse. The source of our danger is destiny. Therefore, it is only destiny that can be our refuge."
He told them what he had heard long ago. When their mother, Kadru, first cursed them to die in the fire of a sacrifice, the young Elapatra had been so frightened he had climbed into his mother's lap to hide. From that place of concealment, he overheard the sorrowful gods speaking to the grandfather, Brahma.
The gods had asked Brahma, "O grandfather! O god of the gods! Who but the harsh Kadru, having borne such beloved children, can curse them in this way and in front of you too? And you also approved of her curse. We wish to know why she was not stopped."
Brahma's answer was not about mercy, but balance. "The snakes have become numerous. They are cruel, terrible in valour and full of poison. Because of the welfare of all other creatures, I did not prevent Kadru." The curse, he explained, would not fall on all equally. "The snakes which are destined to be destroyed are poisonous ones that have a propensity to bite, those that bite for little reason, the mean and evil ones, not snakes that follow dharma."
Then he revealed the escape clause. "Hear how those snakes can escape from that terrible danger when the time comes. In the line of the Yayavaras, there will be born a great rishi, intelligent, austere and self-controlled, who will be known by the name of Jaratkaru. That Jaratkaru will have a son named Astika, who will also be blessed by the power of austerities. He will bring an end to the sacrifice and snakes who are virtuous will escape."
The gods pressed for details. "On whom will Jaratkaru, foremost among sages, beget that great-souled and powerful son?"
Brahma gave the final, precise condition. "The powerful one, the best of the Brahmanas, will beget a powerful son on a woman who will have the same name as his own."
Elapatra finished recounting the secret dialogue. The gods had agreed and departed. Then he turned to the present. "O Vasuki! I see before me your sister, who bears the name of Jaratkaru." The prophesied woman was among them, Vasuki's own sister. "Give her as alms to the rishi of rigid vows when he comes looking for alms, so that this great danger to the snakes may be pacified. I have heard that this is the means of escape."
The path was clear. Salvation depended on a sage who did not yet want a wife, a sister who was to be given as alms, and a son who would one day speak a word that could stop a king.