Shloka 14
Āstīka Stops the Sarpa-satra; Royal Closure and Protective Phalaśruti (आस्तीकः सर्पसत्रनिवर्तनम्)
तक्षकस्तु स नागेन्द्र: पुरन्दरनिवेशनम् । गत: श्रुत्वैव राजान॑ दीक्षितं जनमेजयम्,नागराज तक्षकने जब सुना कि राजा जनमेजयने सर्पयज्ञकी दीक्षा ली है, तब उसे सुनते ही वह देवराज इन्द्रके भवनमें चला गया
śaunaka uvāca |
takṣakastu sa nāgendraḥ purandara-niveśanam |
gataḥ śrutvaiva rājānaṃ dīkṣitaṃ janamejayam ||
Śaunaka said: Takṣaka, that lord of serpents, on hearing that King Janamejaya had undertaken the consecration for the serpent-sacrifice, immediately went to the dwelling of Purandara (Indra).
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Actions invite consequences: when a ruler undertakes a vowed, justice-seeking rite, the wrongdoer is compelled to seek protection. The verse highlights the moral pressure of accountability and the human (or serpentine) impulse to flee toward power rather than face the results of one’s deeds.
Upon hearing that King Janamejaya has taken dīkṣā (ritual initiation) for the serpent-sacrifice aimed at the Nāgas, Takṣaka promptly goes to Indra’s abode to seek refuge and support.