In the illustrious lineage of the Kauravas, King Parikshit was born—a ruler celebrated for his bravery, strength, and archery skills. Like his great-grandfather Pandu, Parikshit was a valiant hunter, often venturing deep into the forests. On one such hunting expedition, his pursuit of a deer led him far from his entourage.
He spotted his target, aimed his arrow, and struck true. But instead of falling, the deer, wounded but determined, made a desperate dash deeper into the forest. Fixated on his prey, Parikshit followed, oblivious to how far he had wandered.
In his search, he stumbled upon a hermitage where the great sage Samika was immersed in meditation. Exhausted, Parikshit sought assistance. He introduced himself as the son of Abhimanyu, requesting food and water, and inquired whether the sage had seen the deer. Samika, however, was in deep penance and did not respond.
Frustrated by the silence, Parikshit’s patience waned. Unaware of Samika’s spiritual prowess, he acted rashly. Picking up a dead snake from the forest floor, he placed it around the sage’s neck in an attempt to provoke a reaction. Yet, Samika remained undisturbed, continuing his meditation.
Regret soon overtook Parikshit. Realizing the impropriety of his actions, he returned to his palace, leaving the sage as he was. However, the consequences of his deed were far from over.
Table of Contents
The Curse of Sringin
Samika’s son, Sringin, was a young ascetic of formidable spiritual power and a quick temper. As he returned to the hermitage, a fellow ascetic’s son, Krisha, mocked him, narrating how King Parikshit had humiliated his father by placing a dead snake on him. Sringin, deeply insulted and enraged, confronted Krisha, demanding to know what wrongdoing of his father had provoked such an act.
Krisha explained the king’s frustration and ignorance of Samika’s vow of silence. But his mockery of Sringin’s family lineage further fanned the flames of anger. Overcome with fury, Sringin took water in his hands and cursed King Parikshit to die within seven days, bitten by the serpent king Takshaka.
When Sringin relayed this to his father, Samika was deeply distressed. Chastising his son, he reminded him that divine powers are meant for protection, not vengeance. He lamented that a leaderless kingdom, plunged into chaos, would suffer greatly. However, Sringin refused to revoke his curse, asserting that his word was final and unbreakable.
Determined to warn Parikshit, Samika instructed his disciple Gaurmukha to inform the king of the impending danger.
Takshaka’s Encounter with Kasyapa
Gaurmukha reached Hastinapur and conveyed the dire news. Shocked but repentant, Parikshit immediately took precautions. He fortified his palace, ordering round-the-clock security. Ministers and soldiers ensured no one could enter without thorough inspection.
Meanwhile, word of the curse reached the serpent king Takshaka. On his way to Hastinapur, he encountered Sage Kasyapa (Venom specialist), renowned for his ability to heal the deadliest snakebites. Curious, Takshaka asked why Kasyapa was journeying toward Hastinapur. Kasyapa revealed his intent to save the king and explained his extraordinary healing powers.
Takshaka, skeptical, decided to test him. He bit a nearby tree, unleashing venom so potent that the tree withered and burned to ashes within moments. Kasyapa calmly applied his antidote to the ashes, and the tree miraculously revived, standing tall and lush as before.
Acknowledging Kasyapa’s power, Takshaka realized that the sage’s presence would thwart his mission. He offered Kasyapa immense wealth to abandon his journey. Tempted by the riches, Kasyapa accepted and returned to his ashram, leaving Parikshit to his fate.
The Seventh Day
For six days, Parikshit’s security measures held strong. His palace was impenetrable, and the king grew confident that he could outlast the curse. On the seventh day, however, Takshaka devised a cunning plan. He transformed himself into a beetle and hid inside a basket of fruits that was delivered to the king.
Parikshit, unaware of the danger, examined the fruits. Finding a small, ugly insect, he joked, “Let this beetle be Takshaka, here to fulfill the curse!” Playfully, he placed the insect on his neck.
In an instant, the beetle revealed its true form. Takshaka, in his serpentine majesty, latched onto the king and delivered a venomous bite. The poison spread rapidly, and Parikshit succumbed to his fate, dying as the curse had foretold.
Hastinapur mourns King Parikshit’s death
The death of King Parikshit plunged Hastinapur into mourning. The kingdom, now leaderless, faced uncertainty. However, hope emerged in the form of Parikshit’s young son, Janamejaya.
Though still a child, Janamejaya rose to the occasion. Guided by wise counselors, he worked to stabilize the kingdom. One of his first acts as king was to forge a strategic alliance through marriage to Princess Vapushtama of Kashi. This union not only strengthened Hastinapur’s political standing but also marked the beginning of a prosperous reign.
Under Janamejaya’s leadership, the kingdom flourished. He ruled with wisdom and justice, earning the respect of his people and continuing the legacy of his forefathers.
Reflections on Power and Responsibility
The tale of King Parikshit is more than just a story of curses and consequences. It serves as a profound lesson on the responsibilities that come with power, the importance of self-restraint, and the far-reaching impact of impulsive actions.
While Parikshit’s regret for his mistake highlights the value of introspection, Sringin’s inability to forgive underscores the dangers of unchecked anger. Similarly, Takshaka’s manipulation of Kasyapa reveals how greed can compromise even the noblest of intentions.
This story also marks the beginning of another epic journey, as Janamejaya’s reign would later lead to the legendary Sarpa Satra (Snake Sacrifice), a pivotal event in the Mahabharata.
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