Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 17
Parīkṣit’s Final Absorption, Takṣaka’s Bite, Janamejaya’s Snake Sacrifice, and the Vedic Sound-Lineage
सर्पसत्रे समिद्धाग्नौ दह्यमानान् महोरगान् । दृष्ट्वेन्द्रं भयसंविग्नस्तक्षक: शरणं ययौ ॥ १७ ॥
sarpa-satre samiddhāgnau dahyamānān mahoragān dṛṣṭvendraṁ bhaya-saṁvignas takṣakaḥ śaraṇaṁ yayau
சர்ப்பசத்ர யாகத்தின் கொழுந்தெழும் நெருப்பில் பெரும் பாம்புகள் எரிவதை கண்ட தக்ஷகன் அச்சத்தில் கலங்கி இந்திரனிடம் சரணடைந்தான்।
FAQs
It describes Takṣaka becoming terrified as the sacrifice-fire burned the great serpents, and then seeking shelter by going to Indra.
Because the sarpa-satra was destroying the serpents, Takṣaka, overwhelmed by fear, looked to Indra as a powerful protector and ran to him for refuge.
Fear often drives one to seek immediate protection from worldly power; the Bhagavatam’s broader lesson is to cultivate higher refuge—steady dependence on dharma and devotion—rather than panic-driven shelter.