Shloka 17
Parīkṣit’s Final Absorption, Takṣaka’s Bite, Janamejaya’s Snake Sacrifice, and the Vedic Sound-Lineage
सर्पसत्रे समिद्धाग्नौ दह्यमानान् महोरगान् । दृष्ट्वेन्द्रं भयसंविग्नस्तक्षक: शरणं ययौ ॥ १७ ॥
sarpa-satre samiddhāgnau dahyamānān mahoragān dṛṣṭvendraṁ bhaya-saṁvignas takṣakaḥ śaraṇaṁ yayau
فلما رأى تَكْشَكَةُ الأفاعي العظيمة تُحرق في نار قربان السَّرْپَسَتْرَ المتأججة، استولى عليه الخوف، فمضى يلتمس الملجأ عند الإله إندرا.
FAQs
It describes Takṣaka becoming terrified as the sacrifice-fire burned the great serpents, and then seeking shelter by going to Indra.
Because the sarpa-satra was destroying the serpents, Takṣaka, overwhelmed by fear, looked to Indra as a powerful protector and ran to him for refuge.
Fear often drives one to seek immediate protection from worldly power; the Bhagavatam’s broader lesson is to cultivate higher refuge—steady dependence on dharma and devotion—rather than panic-driven shelter.