Shloka 22
Āstīka-stuti at Janamejaya’s Sacrifice (आस्तीकस्तुतिः / यज्ञप्रशंसा)
न शक्तस्त्वं मया दष्ट॑ त॑ं संजीवयितुं नृपम् । इत्युक्त्वा तक्षकस्तत्र सोडदशद् वै वनस्पतिम्
na śaktas tvaṃ mayā daṣṭaṃ taṃ saṃjīvayituṃ nṛpam | ity uktvā takṣakas tatra so 'daśad vai vanaspatim ||
Takṣaka said, “You are not able to restore to life that king whom I have bitten.” Having spoken thus, Takṣaka then and there bit a tree.
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the tension between intention/knowledge and the limits imposed by an already-accomplished act: once a powerful cause has taken effect, even a would-be rescuer may be unable to reverse it. It also warns against pride in power, as Takṣaka asserts dominance through a demonstration.
Takṣaka declares that the king he has bitten cannot be brought back to life by the addressed Brahmin, and then bites a tree on the spot to demonstrate his potency and to underscore the inevitability of the king’s impending death.