Shloka 12
Parīkṣit’s Final Absorption, Takṣaka’s Bite, Janamejaya’s Snake Sacrifice, and the Vedic Sound-Lineage
तं तर्पयित्वा द्रविणैर्निवर्त्य विषहारिणम् । द्विजरूपप्रतिच्छन्न: कामरूपोऽदशन्नृपम् ॥ १२ ॥
taṁ tarpayitvā draviṇair nivartya viṣa-hāriṇam dvija-rūpa-praticchannaḥ kāma-rūpo ’daśan nṛpam
स तं विषहारिणं कश्यपं द्रविणैस्तर्पयित्वा निवर्त्य; द्विजरूपप्रतिच्छन्नः कामरूपस्ततः नृपमुपेत्य अदशत्।
Kaśyapa could counteract the poison of Takṣaka and demonstrated this power by bringing a palm tree back to life after Takṣaka had burned it to ashes by biting it with his fangs. According to the arrangement of destiny, Kaśyapa was diverted by Takṣaka, and the inevitable took place.
FAQs
This verse says Takṣaka first bribed and dismissed the poison-remover, then disguised himself in a brāhmaṇa’s form and bit King Parīkṣit.
The verse highlights deception—Takṣaka concealed his true identity by taking a brāhmaṇa-like appearance, enabling him to approach and strike the king.
Be discerning: appearances can mislead, and worldly arrangements (like wealth and influence) can be used to remove protection—so cultivate vigilance and spiritual steadiness.