Shloka 19
Parīkṣit’s Final Absorption, Takṣaka’s Bite, Janamejaya’s Snake Sacrifice, and the Vedic Sound-Lineage
तं गोपायति राजेन्द्र शक्र: शरणमागतम् । तेन संस्तम्भित: सर्पस्तस्मान्नाग्नौ पतत्यसौ ॥ १९ ॥
taṁ gopāyati rājendra śakraḥ śaraṇam āgatam tena saṁstambhitaḥ sarpas tasmān nāgnau pataty asau
أجاب البراهمة: يا أفضل الملوك، إن الحيّة تَكْشَكَ لم تسقط في النار لأن إندرا (شَكْرَ) يحميها وقد لجأت إليه ملتمسةً الملاذ؛ فهو الذي يحبسها عن اللهيب.
FAQs
This verse states that one who has taken shelter is protected—here, Indra restrains the serpent, showing that higher divine arrangement safeguards the surrendered soul.
Śukadeva highlights that even the devas act within divine order to protect a surrendered person; Indra’s restraint of the serpent illustrates protection granted to one under shelter.
Practice genuine śaraṇāgati—seek refuge in the Lord through devotion, prayer, and dharmic living—trusting that obstacles are ultimately governed by a higher protection and purpose.