Shloka 17
सर्पसत्रे ऋत्विजः सदस्याश्च — Officiants and Assembly at Janamejaya’s Serpent-Sacrifice
अथ काले तु सा ब्रह्मन् प्रजज्ञे भुजगस्वसा । कुमार देवगर्भाभ॑ पितृमातृभयापहम्,ब्रह्म! तदनन्तर समय आनेपर वासुकिकी बहिनने एक दिव्य कुमारको जन्म दिया, जो देवताओंके बालक-सा तेजस्वी जान पड़ता था। वह पिता और माता-ोनों पक्षोंके भयको नष्ट करनेवाला था
atha kāle tu sā brahman prajajñe bhujagasvasā | kumāraṃ devagarbhābhaṃ pitṛmātṛbhayāpaham ||
Takṣaka dijo: «Entonces, cuando llegó el momento propicio, oh brāhmaṇa, ella —la hermana de las serpientes— dio a luz a un hijo, radiante como un niño de los dioses. Aquel muchacho estaba destinado a disipar los temores que amenazaban tanto el linaje de su padre como el de su madre».
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical ideal of protection: a worthy offspring is portrayed not merely as powerful, but as one who alleviates fear and safeguards both parental lineages—suggesting responsibility toward family and inherited obligations.
Takṣaka narrates that, at the destined time, the serpent-sister gives birth to a divinely radiant boy, whose role is foretold as a protector who will remove dangers and anxieties connected with both his father’s and mother’s sides.