Shloka 18
Śṛṅgī’s Curse on King Parikṣit
Parikṣit–Śṛṅgī–Takṣaka Causal Link
ये चान्ये सर्पसत्रज्ञा भविष्यन्त्यस्य चर्त्विज: । तांश्व सर्वान् दशिष्याम: कृतमेवं भविष्यति,“आचार्यके सिवा दूसरे जो-जो ब्राह्मण सर्पयज्ञकी विधिको जानते होंगे और जनमेजयके यज्ञमें ऋत्विज् बननेवाले होंगे, उन सबको हम डँस लेंगे। इस प्रकार सारा काम बन जायगा”
ye cānye sarpasatrajñā bhaviṣyanty asya cartvijaḥ | tāṁś ca sarvān daśiṣyāmaḥ kṛtam evaṁ bhaviṣyati ||
Śeṣa said: “And any other Brahmins besides the teacher—those who know the procedure of the snake-sacrifice and who will serve as priests in this rite of his—we shall bite them all. Thus our purpose will be accomplished.”
शेष उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how vengeance can expand from a single target to indiscriminate harm—here, even ritual experts and priests become marked for attack—illustrating the ethical danger of anger-driven, collective punishment.
Śeṣa outlines a plan to thwart or retaliate against the impending snake-sacrifice by biting not only the principal teacher but also any other Brahmins who know the rite and will officiate as priests in Janamejaya’s sacrifice.