Shloka 5
Āstīka-janma: Vāsuki’s Consolation and the Birth/Naming of Āstīka (अस्तीकोत्पत्तिः)
ततो नृपे तक्षकतेजसा हते प्रयुज्य सर्वा: परलोकसत्क्रिया: । शुचिर्द्धिजो राजपुरोहितस्तदा तथैव ते तस्य नृपस्य मन्त्रिण:,तक्षककी विषानि्निद्वारा राजा परीक्षित्के दग्ध हो जानेपर उनकी समस्त पारलौकिक क्रियाएँ करके पवित्र ब्राह्मण राजपुरोहित, उन महाराजके मन्त्री तथा समस्त पुरवासी मनुष्योंने मिलकर उन्हींके पुत्रको, जिसकी अवस्था अभी बहुत छोटी थी, राजा बना दिया। कुरुकुलका वह श्रेष्ठ वीर अपने शत्रुओंका विनाश करनेवाला था। लोग उसे राजा जनमेजय कहते थे
tato nṛpe takṣakatejasā hate prayujya sarvāḥ paralokasatkriyāḥ | śucir dvijo rājapurohitastadā tathaiva te tasya nṛpasya mantriṇaḥ |
Then, when the king had been slain by the fiery potency of Takṣaka, all the rites due for the departed were duly performed. At that time the purified Brahmin royal priest, along with the king’s ministers, proceeded in accordance with custom—ensuring the continuity of righteous order by completing the funerary obligations and arranging the succession.
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid sudden catastrophe, dharma is upheld through proper rites for the dead and orderly transfer of royal responsibility; social and cosmic order is maintained by fulfilling prescribed duties.
After the king is killed by Takṣaka’s power, the royal priest and ministers perform the full set of funerary rites and proceed according to custom to stabilize the kingdom through succession arrangements.