Shloka 18
Śṛṅgī’s Curse on King Parikṣit
Parikṣit–Śṛṅgī–Takṣaka Causal Link
ये चान्ये सर्पसत्रज्ञा भविष्यन्त्यस्य चर्त्विज: । तांश्व सर्वान् दशिष्याम: कृतमेवं भविष्यति
ye cānye sarpasatrajñā bhaviṣyanty asya cartvijaḥ | tāṁś ca sarvān daśiṣyāmaḥ kṛtam evaṁ bhaviṣyati ||
اور آچارْیَ کے سوا جو دوسرے برہمن سَرْپَسَتْر کی وِدھی جانتے ہوں گے اور اس کے اس یَجْن میں رِتْوِج بنیں گے—ہم اُن سب کو ڈس لیں گے۔ یوں ہمارا مقصد پورا ہو جائے گا۔
शेष उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how vengeance can expand from a single target to indiscriminate harm—here, even ritual experts and priests become marked for attack—illustrating the ethical danger of anger-driven, collective punishment.
Śeṣa outlines a plan to thwart or retaliate against the impending snake-sacrifice by biting not only the principal teacher but also any other Brahmins who know the rite and will officiate as priests in Janamejaya’s sacrifice.