Shloka 17
Āstīka-stuti at Janamejaya’s Sacrifice (आस्तीकस्तुतिः / यज्ञप्रशंसा)
राज्ञ: समीप ब्रद्यर्षि: काश्यपो गन्तुमैच्छत । त॑ ददर्शाथ नागेन्द्रस्तक्षक: काश्यपं तदा,“महाराज! (सात दिनके बाद) तक्षक नाग तुम्हें अपने तेजसे जला देगा।” जनमेजय! यह भयंकर बात सुनकर तुम्हारे पिता नागश्रेष्ठ तक्षकसे अत्यन्त भयभीत हो सतत सावधान रहने लगे। तदनन्तर जब सातवाँ दिन उपस्थित हुआ, तब उस दिन ब्रह्मर्षि काश्यपने राजाके समीप जानेका विचार किया। मार्गमें नागराज तक्षकने उस समय काश्यपको देखा
rājñaḥ samīpaṃ brahmarṣiḥ kāśyapo gantum aicchat | taṃ dadarśātha nāgendras takṣakaḥ kāśyapaṃ tadā |
Janamejaya said: The brahmarṣi Kāśyapa wished to go to the king’s presence. Then the lord of serpents, Takṣaka, saw Kāśyapa on the way. (In the surrounding narrative, King Parīkṣit, having heard the dreadful prediction that Takṣaka would burn him on the seventh day, remains constantly vigilant; when the seventh day arrives, Kāśyapa sets out to approach the king, and Takṣaka intercepts him.)
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Foreknowledge of danger can produce constant fear and hyper-vigilance, yet ethical agency still matters: the sage’s intended approach represents a possible remedy, while Takṣaka’s interception shows how harmful intent can block protective counsel. The passage invites reflection on how rulers should respond to threats—through dharmic counsel and composure rather than being ruled by fear.
On the seventh day after the ominous prediction, the sage Kāśyapa sets out to go to the king’s presence (to help or avert the danger). On the road, the nāga-lord Takṣaka sees him—setting up an encounter in which Takṣaka will attempt to prevent Kāśyapa from reaching the king.