Shloka 10
Janamejaya’s Request for Expansion; Vaiśampāyana’s Authorization and Phalāśruti of the Mahābhārata
Jaya
तस्योत्तरीये निहित: स नागो भयोद्विग्न: शर्म नैवाभ्यगच्छत् । ततो राजा मन्त्रविदो<ब्रवीत् पुनः क्रुद्धो वाक््यं तक्षकस्यान्तमिच्छन्,तक्षक नाग उन्हींके उत्तरीय वस्त्र (दुपट्टे)-में छिपा था। भयसे उद्विग्न होनेके कारण तक्षकको तनिक भी चैन नहीं आता था। इधर राजा जनमेजय तक्षकका नाश चाहते हुए कुपित होकर पुनः मन्त्रवेत्ता ब्राह्मणोंसे बोले
tasyottarīye nihitaḥ sa nāgo bhayodvignaḥ śarma naivābhyagacchat | tato rājā mantravido ’bravīt punaḥ kruddho vākyaṃ takṣakasyāntam icchan ||
Takṣaka, a serpente, estava escondido no manto superior de Indra. Agitado pelo medo, não encontrava paz alguma. Então o rei Janamejaya, irado e desejoso de levar Takṣaka à destruição, voltou a dirigir-se aos brâmanes versados em mantras, instando-os a prosseguir.
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and anger drive actions: Takṣaka’s fear yields inner unrest, while Janamejaya’s wrath seeks annihilation through ritual power. It implicitly warns that vengeance and rage can intensify conflict and cloud righteous judgment (dharma).
Takṣaka, the serpent targeted by Janamejaya, is described as hiding in an upper garment and being tormented by fear. Meanwhile Janamejaya, furious and determined to end Takṣaka, again speaks to the Brahmins skilled in mantras, pressing them to proceed against him.