Shloka 19
Janamejaya’s Request for Expansion; Vaiśampāyana’s Authorization and Phalāśruti of the Mahābhārata
Jaya
नूनं मुक्तो वज़भूता स नागो भ्रष्टो नाकान्मन्त्रविस्रस्तकाय: । घूर्णन्नाकाशे नष्टसंज्ञो 5 भ्युपैति तीव्रान् निःश्वासान् निः:श्वसन् पन्नगेन्द्र:,निश्चय ही इन्द्रने उस नागराज तक्षकको त्याग दिया है। उसका विशाल शरीर मन्त्रद्वारा आवदृष्ट होकर स्वर्गलोकसे नीचे गिर पड़ा है। वह आकाशमें चक्कर काटता अपनी सुध-बुध खो चुका है और बड़े वेगसे लम्बी साँसें छोड़ता हुआ अग्निकुण्डके समीप आ रहा है
Janamejaya uvāca | nūnaṁ mukto vajrabhūtā sa nāgo bhraṣṭo nākān mantravisraṣṭakāyaḥ | ghūrṇann ākāśe naṣṭasaṁjño ’bhyupaiti tīvrān niḥśvāsān niḥśvasan pannagendraḥ ||
Sinabi ni Janamejaya: “Tunay ngang ang haring-ahas na iyon—na waring tinamaan ng kulog na vajra ni Indra—ay itinakwil at nahulog mula sa langit; ang kanyang dambuhalang katawan ay nayanig at napakalas sa lakas ng mantra. Umiikot sa himpapawid, wala sa ulirat, siya’y rumaragasa patungo sa hukay ng apoy, humihinga nang mahahaba at mararahas.”
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral tension between ritual power and righteous restraint: mantras and sacrifices can compel outcomes, yet their use raises ethical questions about vengeance, proportionality, and the king’s duty (dharma) to act without being consumed by wrath.
During Janamejaya’s snake-sacrifice (sarpa-satra), the recited mantras draw the serpent-king Takṣaka toward the sacrificial fire. Janamejaya observes that even Indra’s protection has failed; Takṣaka, disoriented and falling from heaven, is being pulled through the sky toward the fire-pit.