Shloka 13
Janamejaya’s Request for Expansion; Vaiśampāyana’s Authorization and Phalāśruti of the Mahābhārata
Jaya
हूयमाने तथा चैव तक्षक: सपुरन्दर: | आकाशे ददृशे चैव क्षणेन व्यथितस्तदा,इस प्रकार आहुति दी जानेपर क्षणभरमें इन्द्रसहित तक्षक नाग आकाशगमें दिखायी दिया। उस समय उसे बड़ी पीड़ा हो रही थी
hūyamāne tathā caiva takṣakaḥ sapurandaraḥ | ākāśe dadṛśe caiva kṣaṇena vyathitas tadā ||
Enquanto as oblações eram derramadas, Takṣaka —junto de Purandara (Indra)— foi visto de súbito no céu; e, naquele mesmo instante, foi tomado por intensa aflição.
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral force attributed to ritual action when aligned with a king’s resolve to punish perceived wrongdoing: even powerful beings seek protection, yet the consequences of harmful acts can still manifest as unavoidable suffering.
During Janamejaya’s serpent-sacrifice, the oblations intensify the rite’s pull upon Takṣaka. Takṣaka appears in the sky along with Indra, but he is visibly afflicted, indicating that the sacrificial power is affecting him despite divine association.