Astika (sage)

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Astika (Sanskrit: Āstīka) is a sage in Hinduism. He is the son of Jaratkaru and the serpent goddess Manasa.

Story in brief:
Jaratkaru wandered the forest and learned his ancestors were suffering because he had no children. To save his line, he decided to marry a woman who shared his name. He married Manasa, the sister of the naga king Vasuki.

One evening at Pushkara, Jaratkaru slept on Manasa’s lap and forgot to offer his prayers at dusk. When Manasa woke him, he became angry and left her. She then told him she was pregnant. He blessed the unborn child, saying he would be brilliant and devoted. Thus the child was Astika.

Astika studied with Sage Chyavana, and because his mother followed Shiva, Astika also became a devotee of Shiva.

In the Mahabharata, Astika saved the serpent Takshaka during King Janamejaya’s snake sacrifice (the Sarpa Satra). Astika persuaded the king to stop harming the serpents and end the sacrifice.

The day the serpents were saved is remembered as Naga Panchami — the fifth day of the bright half of the month Shravana.