Shloka 15
Āstīka-stuti at Janamejaya’s Sacrifice (आस्तीकस्तुतिः / यज्ञप्रशंसा)
तक्षकस्त्वां महाराज तेजसासौ दहिष्यति । श्रुत्वा च तद् वचो घोरं पिता ते जनमेजय,“महाराज! (सात दिनके बाद) तक्षक नाग तुम्हें अपने तेजसे जला देगा।” जनमेजय! यह भयंकर बात सुनकर तुम्हारे पिता नागश्रेष्ठ तक्षकसे अत्यन्त भयभीत हो सतत सावधान रहने लगे। तदनन्तर जब सातवाँ दिन उपस्थित हुआ, तब उस दिन ब्रह्मर्षि काश्यपने राजाके समीप जानेका विचार किया। मार्गमें नागराज तक्षकने उस समय काश्यपको देखा
takṣakas tvāṃ mahārāja tejasāsau dahiṣyati | śrutvā ca tad vaco ghoraṃ pitā te janamejaya |
“大王啊，塔克沙迦（Takṣaka）将以炽烈的威能焚烧你。”听闻这般可怖之言，你的父王——阇那美阇耶啊——对蛇中至尊塔克沙迦生出极深的恐惧，遂时刻戒备。及至第七日来临，婆罗门仙圣迦叶波（Kāśyapa）决意前往王前；途中，蛇王塔克沙迦当时看见了迦叶波。
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how foreknowledge of danger produces fear and constant vigilance, yet also shows the tension between destiny (a foretold death by Takṣaka) and human effort (attempts to guard, and Kāśyapa’s intention to intervene). Ethically, it frames the consequences of prior actions and words (curses/prophecies) as forces that shape royal conduct and future events.
A dire prediction is stated: Takṣaka will burn the king with his fiery power. The king (Janamejaya’s father) becomes deeply afraid and stays on alert. When the seventh day arrives, the sage Kāśyapa decides to go to the king, but on the way Takṣaka notices Kāśyapa—setting up a confrontation that will affect whether the king can be saved.