Shloka 18
Janamejaya’s Request for Expansion; Vaiśampāyana’s Authorization and Phalāśruti of the Mahābhārata
Jaya
ऋत्विज ऊचु: अयमायाति तूर्ण स तक्षकस्ते वशं नृप । श्रूयते5स्य महान् नादो नदतो भैरवं रवम्,ऋत्विज बोले--राजन्! यह तक्षक नाग अब शीघ्र ही तुम्हारे वशमें आ रहा है। वह बड़ी भयानक आवाज में चीत्कार कर रहा है। उसकी भारी चिल््लाहट अब सुनायी देने लगी है
ṛtvija ūcuḥ: ayam āyāti tūrṇaṁ sa takṣakas te vaśaṁ nṛpa | śrūyate 'sya mahān nādo nadatō bhairavaṁ ravam ||
Die Opferpriester sprachen: „O König! Takṣaka kommt eilends und gerät unter deine Gewalt. Man hört sein mächtiges Brüllen – er schreit mit schaurig-furchtbarem Laut.“
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the potency—and moral tension—of ritual power when driven by royal resolve: the rite can compel even formidable beings, yet the scene also frames the ethical weight of using sacred acts for coercion and vengeance.
During Janamejaya’s serpent-sacrifice, the priests announce that Takṣaka is being drawn in and brought under the king’s power; his terrifying cries are heard as he is compelled toward the sacrificial fire.