Janamejaya offers Astika a boon before Takshaka arrives
Deeply impressed by the child Astika's wisdom, King Janamejaya wishes to grant him a boon on the spot. His priests intervene, insisting he must wait until the primary target of the sacrifice, the snake Takshaka, arrives first.
The boy had spoken with a gravity that belied his years. After hearing Astika, Janamejaya turned to the assembly of Brahmanas. "Though he is but a child, he speaks like a wise old man. He is not a child. I think he is wise and old. I wish to grant him a boon. O assembled Brahmanas! Give me the required permission."
The sadasyas acknowledged the king's impulse. "Even though a child, a Brahmana deserves the respect of kings, even more so if he is learned. This child deserves that you grant him his wishes, but not before Takshaka has swiftly come here."
The king was ready. He was about to say the words — "Ask a boon from me" — when the hotar (chief priest) stopped him, displeased. "Takshaka has not yet come to the sacrifice."
Frustrated by the delay, Janamejaya's focus snapped back to his vengeance. "Try your best to complete this sacrifice successfully. Use all your powers, so that Takshaka comes here without any more delay. He is the one I hate the most."
The ritvijas (sacrificial priests) consulted their mantras and the fire. "O king! Takshaka now lives in fear in Indra's palace. The shastras reveal this to us and the fire also confirms it."
The suta Lohitaksha, a scholar of ancient tales, supported them. "O god among men! O king! What the Brahmanas have said is true. I know the ancient accounts and I say that Indra has granted him a boon saying that he should live secretly near him and the fire will not be able to burn him."
Hearing that his enemy was under divine protection made the king angry. He ordered the hotar to perform his duties. The priest chanted mantras and poured oblations into the fire, beginning the ritual to draw Takshaka out from his celestial refuge.