Shloka 2
इन्द्रहस्ताच्च्युतो नाग: ख एव यदतिष्ठत । ततश्चिन्तापरो राजा बभूव जनमेजय:,उग्रश्रवाजी कहते हैं--शौनक! आस्तीकके सम्बन्धमें यह एक और अदभुत बात मैंने सुन रखी है कि जब राजा जनमेजयने उनसे पूर्वोक्त रूपसे वर माँगनेका अनुरोध किया और उनके वर माँगनेपर इन्द्रके हाथसे छूटकर गिरा हुआ तक्षक नाग आकाशमें ही ठहर गया, तब महाराज जनमेजयको बड़ी चिन्ता हुई
śaunaka uvāca |
indra-hastāc cyuto nāgaḥ kha eva yad atiṣṭhata |
tataś cintā-paro rājā babhūva janamejayaḥ ||
Śaunaka said: When the serpent, fallen from Indra’s hand, remained suspended in the very sky, King Janamejaya became filled with anxious concern.
शौनक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the limits of human control: even a king pursuing vengeance through ritual can be checked by unforeseen divine or cosmic constraints, prompting anxiety and inviting reflection on restraint and righteous intent.
In the context of the serpent-sacrifice narrative, a serpent that has slipped from Indra’s grasp remains suspended in the sky; seeing his intended target not fully brought under control, King Janamejaya becomes deeply worried.