Shloka 28
Āstīka-stuti at Janamejaya’s Sacrifice (आस्तीकस्तुतिः / यज्ञप्रशंसा)
तस्मिन् प्रतिगते विप्रे छद्मनोपेत्य तक्षक: । त॑ नृपं नृपतिश्रेष्ठ पितरं धार्मिक तव
tasmin pratigate vipre chadmanopetya takṣakaḥ | taṁ nṛpaṁ nṛpatiśreṣṭha pitaraṁ dhārmika tava ||
جب وہ برہمن واپس چلا گیا تو تکشک نے بھیس بدل کر تمہارے دیندار والد—فرمانرواؤں میں برتر راجا پریکشت—کے پاس پہنچ کر فریب سے اپنے زہر کی آگ سے اسے جلا کر خاک کر دیا۔
तक्षक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how ethical lapses and the momentum of a curse can culminate in grave consequences, while also warning that power and precautions cannot fully shield one from the results of adharma and deceit.
After the brāhmaṇa leaves, Takṣaka comes in disguise to King Parīkṣit (addressed as the listener’s righteous father) and kills him by the burning power of his venom, fulfilling the impending doom that sets the stage for Janamejaya’s later response.