Shloka 15
Āstīka-stuti at Janamejaya’s Sacrifice (आस्तीकस्तुतिः / यज्ञप्रशंसा)
तक्षकस्त्वां महाराज तेजसासौ दहिष्यति । श्रुत्वा च तद् वचो घोरं पिता ते जनमेजय
takṣakas tvāṃ mahārāja tejasāsau dahiṣyati | śrutvā ca tad vaco ghoraṃ pitā te janamejaya |
“Wahai Maharaja, Takṣaka akan membakar engkau dengan daya apinya.” Mendengar sabda yang mengerikan itu, ayahmu—wahai Janamejaya—sangat gentar terhadap Takṣaka, yang utama di antara para ular, dan senantiasa berjaga-jaga. Ketika hari ketujuh tiba, brahmarṣi Kāśyapa berketetapan pergi menghadap raja; di perjalanan, pada saat itu juga raja para naga, Takṣaka, melihat Kāśyapa.
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how foreknowledge of danger produces fear and constant vigilance, yet also shows the tension between destiny (a foretold death by Takṣaka) and human effort (attempts to guard, and Kāśyapa’s intention to intervene). Ethically, it frames the consequences of prior actions and words (curses/prophecies) as forces that shape royal conduct and future events.
A dire prediction is stated: Takṣaka will burn the king with his fiery power. The king (Janamejaya’s father) becomes deeply afraid and stays on alert. When the seventh day arrives, the sage Kāśyapa decides to go to the king, but on the way Takṣaka notices Kāśyapa—setting up a confrontation that will affect whether the king can be saved.