Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 21
Parīkṣit’s Final Absorption, Takṣaka’s Bite, Janamejaya’s Snake Sacrifice, and the Vedic Sound-Lineage
तच्छ्रुत्वाजुहुवुर्विप्रा: सहेन्द्रं तक्षकं मखे । तक्षकाशु पतस्वेह सहेन्द्रेण मरुत्वता ॥ २१ ॥
tac chrutvājuhuvur viprāḥ sahendraṁ takṣakaṁ makhe takṣakāśu patasveha sahendreṇa marutvatā
Hearing this, the priests then chanted this mantra for offering Takṣaka together with Indra as an oblation into the sacrificial fire: O Takṣaka, fall immediately into this fire, together with Indra and his entire host of demigods!
FAQs
Because the ritual was being used to call and punish Takṣaka, the serpent responsible for King Parīkṣit’s death, by drawing him into the fire through Vedic mantras.
Indra is implicated as protecting or associating with Takṣaka; the priests therefore direct the mantra to bring down Takṣaka together with Indra, the thunderbolt-wielder (Marutvān).
It highlights how reactions driven by vengeance can escalate conflict; the Bhagavatam repeatedly guides seekers to choose dharma, restraint, and devotion over retaliatory obsession.