Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 17

Parīkṣit’s Final Absorption, Takṣaka’s Bite, Janamejaya’s Snake Sacrifice, and the Vedic Sound-Lineage

Devanagari script

सर्पसत्रे समिद्धाग्नौ दह्यमानान् महोरगान् । द‍ृष्ट्वेन्द्रं भयसंविग्नस्तक्षक: शरणं ययौ ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

sarpa-satre samiddhāgnau dahyamānān mahoragān dṛṣṭvendraṁ bhaya-saṁvignas takṣakaḥ śaraṇaṁ yayau

Translation

When Takṣaka saw even the mighty serpents being burned in the blazing fire of that snake sacrifice, he was seized by fear and went to Lord Indra for shelter.

Synonyms

• सर्पसत्रे: in the serpent-sacrifice
• सर्पसत्रे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्प + सत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सर्पाणां सत्रे)

• समिद्धाग्नौ: in the kindled fire
• समिद्धाग्नौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समिद्ध + अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (समिद्धः अग्निः यस्मिन्)

• दह्यमानान्: being burned
• दह्यमानान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दह् (धातु) → दह्यमान (शानच्-प्रत्यय, कर्मणि वर्तमान कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; शानच्-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकालिक कर्मणि कृदन्त (being burnt)

• महोरगान्: great serpents
• महोरगान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + उरग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (महान्तः उरगाः)

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय-भावकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive)

• इन्द्रम्: Indra
• इन्द्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• भयसंविग्नः: agitated with fear
• भयसंविग्नः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भय + संविग्न (सम्+विज् धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (भयेन संविग्नः)

• तक्षकः: Takṣaka
• तक्षकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तक्षक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शरणम्: refuge
• शरणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ययौ: went
• ययौ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Characters & Entities

• Takṣaka
• Indra

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Takshaka during the snake sacrifice (Sarpa Satra)?

It describes Takṣaka becoming terrified as the sacrifice-fire burned the great serpents, and then seeking shelter by going to Indra.

Why did Takshaka take shelter of Indra in this verse?

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.

Practical application: what does this verse teach about fear and seeking 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.