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 raja agung, Takṣaka akan membakar tuanku dengan daya apinya.” Mendengar kata-kata yang menggerunkan itu, ayahanda tuanku—wahai Janamejaya—menjadi amat takut akan Takṣaka, yang terunggul antara para ular, lalu sentiasa berjaga-jaga. Apabila tibanya hari ketujuh, brahmarṣi Kāśyapa bertekad untuk pergi menghadap raja; di pertengahan jalan, raja ular Takṣaka terlihat Kāśyapa pada ketika itu.
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.