Shloka 12
Āstīka-stuti at Janamejaya’s Sacrifice (आस्तीकस्तुतिः / यज्ञप्रशंसा)
शंंगी तेजसे प्रज्यलित-सा हो रहा था। उसने शीघ्र ही हाथमें जल लेकर तुम्हारे पिताको लक्ष्य करके रोषपूर्वक यह बात कही--'जिसने मेरे निरपराध पितापर मरा साँप डाल दिया है
iṭy uktvā prayayau tatra pitā yatrāsya so 'bhavat | dṛṣṭvā ca pitaram tasmai taṃ śāpaṃ pratyavedayat ||
Blazing with tejas as though aflame, the boy swiftly took water in his hand and, fixing his aim upon your father, spoke in wrath: “Whoever cast a dead snake upon my innocent father—that sinner, seven nights from today, shall be burned by Takṣaka, the fiercely radiant venom-bearer, driven onward by the power of my words, and consumed by his venomous fire. Behold the strength of my austerity!” Having said this, the boy went at once to where his father was seated; seeing him, he reported the curse he had pronounced upon the king—declaring that after seven nights Takṣaka, compelled by his word-power, would burn the king with poisonous flame.
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The episode underscores the ethical danger of uncontrolled anger and the weight of speech: a powerful utterance (śāpa) can set irreversible consequences in motion, so restraint and discernment are essential even when one feels wronged.
After pronouncing a curse against the king—foretelling death by Takṣaka after seven nights—the boy goes to where his father is seated and informs him of the curse he has issued.