Shloka 28
Āstīka-stuti at Janamejaya’s Sacrifice (आस्तीकस्तुतिः / यज्ञप्रशंसा)
तस्मिन् प्रतिगते विप्रे छद्मनोपेत्य तक्षक: । त॑ नृपं नृपतिश्रेष्ठ पितरं धार्मिक तव
tasmin pratigate vipre chadmanopetya takṣakaḥ | taṁ nṛpaṁ nṛpatiśreṣṭha pitaraṁ dhārmika tava ||
そのブラーフマナが去ると、タクシャカは変装して欺きつつ近づき、汝の父、パリークシット王—諸王のうち最勝にしてダルマに篤き君—のもとへ至った。王宮の護りを欺き破り、彼は毒の火で王を焼き尽くし、王の行いの過ちと呪いの力によって定められた死を成就させた。
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how ethical lapses and the momentum of a curse can culminate in grave consequences, while also warning that power and precautions cannot fully shield one from the results of adharma and deceit.
After the brāhmaṇa leaves, Takṣaka comes in disguise to King Parīkṣit (addressed as the listener’s righteous father) and kills him by the burning power of his venom, fulfilling the impending doom that sets the stage for Janamejaya’s later response.