Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 18

Parīkṣit’s Final Absorption, Takṣaka’s Bite, Janamejaya’s Snake Sacrifice, and the Vedic Sound-Lineage

Devanagari script

अपश्यंस्तक्षकं तत्र राजा पारीक्षितो द्विजान् । उवाच तक्षक: कस्मान्न दह्येतोरगाधम: ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

apaśyaṁs takṣakaṁ tatra rājā pārīkṣito dvijān uvāca takṣakaḥ kasmān na dahyetoragādhamaḥ

Translation

Nang hindi makita ni Haring Janamejaya si Takṣaka roon, sinabi niya sa mga brahmana: “Bakit hindi nasusunog sa apoy na ito si Takṣaka, ang pinakahamak sa mga ahas?”

Synonyms

• अपश्यन्: not seeing
• अपश्यन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पश्/दृश् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकालिक परस्मैपदी कृदन्त (present active participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तक्षकम्: Takṣaka
• तक्षकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तक्षक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (locative adverb: there)

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पारीक्षितः: (king) Pārīkṣita
• पारीक्षितः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पारीक्षित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (राज्ञः)

• द्विजान्: the brāhmaṇas
• द्विजान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• तक्षकः: Takṣaka
• तक्षकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तक्षक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कस्मात्: from what cause? why?
• कस्मात्: Hetu (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; प्रश्नवाचक सर्वनाम

• न: not
• न: Nishedha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध (negation particle)

• दह्येत: would be burned
• दह्येत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दह् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद/कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive sense: would be burnt)

• उरगाधमः: the lowest of serpents
• उरगाधमः: Sambodhana/Predicate (सम्बोधन/विशेष्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उरग + अधम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (उरगाणाम् अधमः)

Characters & Entities

• Maharaja Parikshit
• Takshaka
• Brahmanas (Dvijas)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Takshaka and the death of Maharaja Parikshit?

This verse shows Parikshit confronting the imminent danger of Takshaka, questioning why the sinful serpent is not immediately destroyed—highlighting the tension between royal authority, destiny, and the curse’s unfolding.

Why did Maharaja Parikshit speak this to the brahmanas (dvijas)?

Seeing Takshaka not present, Parikshit addresses the brāhmaṇas around him, indicating that the situation is tied to brahminical power, curse, and ritual context, and he challenges the apparent delay in Takshaka’s punishment.

What is the practical takeaway from this shloka for modern life?

Even when injustice seems delayed, outcomes unfold through higher law (karma, destiny, dharma). The verse invites self-control and spiritual focus rather than panic, especially in crisis.