The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 1.51.16

1.51.16

sūta uvāca |
patiṣyamāṇe nāgendre takṣake jātavedasi |
idamantaramityevaṃ tadāstīko'bhyacodayat || 16 ||

'Sauti continued, 'While Takshaka, the prince of snakes was about to fall into the sacrificial fire, during those few moments Astika spoke as follows, 'O Janamejaya, if thou wouldst grant me a boon, let this sacrifice of thine come to an end and let no more snakes fall into the fire.'