Shloka 7
Jarītā–Śārṅgā-saṃvāda: Ākhu-haraṇa and the Approach of Agni (आखुहरणं अग्न्यागमनश्च)
वसत्यत्र सखा तस्य तक्षक: पन्नग: सदा । सगणस्तत्कृते दावं परिरक्षति वज्ञभूत्,इस वनमें इन्द्रका सखा तक्षक नाग अपने परिवारसहित सदा निवास करता है। उसीके लिये वज्रधारी इन्द्र सदा इसकी रक्षा करते हैं
vasaty atra sakhā tasya takṣakaḥ pannagaḥ sadā | sagaṇas tatkṛte dāvaṁ parirakṣati vajrabhūt ||
The Brahmin said: “Here dwells Takṣaka, the serpent—ever the ally of Indra—together with his retinue. For his sake, Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, continually protects this forest.”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how alliances and patronage shape outcomes: even a dangerous being like Takṣaka can be shielded by a powerful protector (Indra). Ethically, it points to the reality that power can preserve particular interests, and that one must understand hidden protections and causes before acting.
A brāhmaṇa explains that Takṣaka the nāga lives in this forest with his followers and is Indra’s ally. Because of this connection, Indra (the vajra-bearer) is said to guard the forest-fire situation—implying divine intervention around the burning of the forest and the protection of Takṣaka.