AstIka m. N. of a Muni (the son of Jaratkāru and Bhaginī Jaratkāru ), MBh. ; Hariv.
AstIka a. Relating to, or treating of, the sage AstIka . — kaH N. of an old saint, son of Jaratkāru; (at whose intercession King Janamejaya spared the Nāga Takṣaka from the destruction to which he had doomed the serpent race). Mb. gives the following etymology of the name; nAma cAsyABavatKyAtaM lokezvAstIka ityuta . astItyuktvA gato yasmAtpitA garBasTameva tam .. . — kaM A section ( parva ) of the first book of the Mahābhārata.