Takshaka Turns Kashyapa Back and Bites Parikshit

Verse 1 (1.43.1)

यदि दष्टं मयेह त्वं शक्तः किंचिच्चिकित्सितुम् । ततो वृक्षं मया दष्टमिमं जीवय काश्यप ॥

yadi daṣṭaṃ mayeha tvaṃ śaktaḥ kiṃciccikitsitum | tato vṛkṣaṃ mayā daṣṭamimaṃ jīvaya kāśyapa

"If you are able to cure anything at all that I have bitten, then bring back to life this tree once I have bitten it, Kashyapa.

Verse 2 (1.43.2)

परं मन्त्रबलं यत्ते तद्दर्शय यतस्व च । न्यग्रोधमेनं धक्ष्यामि पश्यतस्ते द्विजोत्तम ॥

paraṃ mantrabalaṃ yatte taddarśaya yatasva ca | nyagrodhamenaṃ dhakṣyāmi paśyataste dvijottama

Show the supreme power of your mantras, and make the effort. Before your eyes, best of brahmins, I shall burn this banyan tree."

Verse 3 (1.43.3)

दश नागेन्द्र वृक्षं त्वं यद्येतदभिमन्यसे । अहमेनं त्वया दष्टं जीवयिष्ये भुजंगम । पश्य मन्त्रबलं मेऽद्य न्यग्रोधं दश पन्नग ॥

daśa nāgendra vṛkṣaṃ tvaṃ yadyetadabhimanyase | ahamenaṃ tvayā daṣṭaṃ jīvayiṣye bhujaṃgama | paśya mantrabalaṃ me'dya nyagrodhaṃ daśa pannaga

"Bite the tree, lord of serpents, if that is what you have in mind. I shall bring it back to life after you have bitten it, serpent. Bite the banyan, snake, and see today the power of my mantras."

Note on the text: Removed stray wiki marks (` and ।।') around the third line, which is not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 4 (1.43.4)

एवमुक्तः स नागेन्द्रः काश्यपेन महात्मना । अदशद्वृक्षमभ्येत्य न्यग्रोधं पन्नगोत्तमः ॥

evamuktaḥ sa nāgendraḥ kāśyapena mahātmanā | adaśadvṛkṣamabhyetya nyagrodhaṃ pannagottamaḥ

So addressed by the great-souled Kashyapa, the lord of serpents, best of snakes, went up to the banyan tree and bit it.

Verse 5 (1.43.5)

स वृक्षस्तेन दष्टस्तु पन्नगेन महात्मना । आशीविषविषोपेतः प्रजज्वाल समन्ततः ॥

sa vṛkṣastena daṣṭastu pannagena mahātmanā | āśīviṣaviṣopetaḥ prajajvāla samantataḥ

Bitten by that mighty serpent and filled with the venom of the poisonous snake, the tree blazed up on every side.

Verse 6 (1.43.6)

तं दग्ध्वा स नगं नागः काश्यपं पुनरब्रवीत् । कुरु यत्नं द्विजश्रेष्ठ जीवयैव वनस्पतिम् ॥

taṃ dagdhvā sa nagaṃ nāgaḥ kāśyapaṃ punarabravīt | kuru yatnaṃ dvijaśreṣṭha jīvayaiva vanaspatim

Having burnt the tree, the serpent said to Kashyapa again, "Make your effort, best of brahmins—bring this lord of the forest back to life."

Verse 7 (1.43.7)

भस्मीभूतं ततो वृक्षं पन्नगेन्द्रस्य तेजसा । भस्म सर्वं समाहृत्य काश्यपो वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥

bhasmībhūtaṃ tato vṛkṣaṃ pannagendrasya tejasā | bhasma sarvaṃ samāhṛtya kāśyapo vākyamabravīt

The tree had been reduced to ash by the fiery power of the serpent king. Kashyapa gathered up all the ash and said:

Verse 8 (1.43.8)

विद्याबलं पन्नगेन्द्र पश्य मेऽद्य वनस्पतौ । अहं संजीवयाम्येनं पश्यतस्ते भुजंगम ॥

vidyābalaṃ pannagendra paśya me'dya vanaspatau | ahaṃ saṃjīvayāmyenaṃ paśyataste bhujaṃgama

"Lord of serpents, see today the power of my learning on this tree. Before your eyes, serpent, I shall bring it back to life."

Verse 9 (1.43.9)

ततः स भगवान्विद्वान्काश्यपो द्विजसत्तमः । भस्मराशीकृतं वृक्षं विद्यया समजीवयत् ॥

tataḥ sa bhagavānvidvānkāśyapo dvijasattamaḥ | bhasmarāśīkṛtaṃ vṛkṣaṃ vidyayā samajīvayat

Then the revered and learned Kashyapa, best of brahmins, brought back to life by his knowledge the tree that had become a heap of ash.

Verse 10 (1.43.10)

अङ्कुरं कृतवांस्तत्र ततः पर्णद्वयान्वितम् । पलाशिनं शाखिनं च तथा विटपिनं पुनः ॥

aṅkuraṃ kṛtavāṃstatra tataḥ parṇadvayānvitam | palāśinaṃ śākhinaṃ ca tathā viṭapinaṃ punaḥ

First he made a sprout there, then gave it two leaves; then he made it leafy and branching, and at last a spreading tree once more.

Verse 11 (1.43.11)

तं दृष्ट्वा जीवितं वृक्षं काश्यपेन महात्मना । उवाच तक्षको ब्रह्मन्नैतदत्यद्भुतं त्वयि ॥

taṃ dṛṣṭvā jīvitaṃ vṛkṣaṃ kāśyapena mahātmanā | uvāca takṣako brahmannaitadatyadbhutaṃ tvayi

Seeing the tree restored to life by the great-souled Kashyapa, Takshaka said, "Brahmin, it is no great marvel in one like you

Verse 12 (1.43.12)

द्विजेन्द्र यद्विषं हन्या मम वा मद्विधस्य वा । कं त्वमर्थमभिप्रेप्सुर्यासि तत्र तपोधन ॥

dvijendra yadviṣaṃ hanyā mama vā madvidhasya vā | kaṃ tvamarthamabhiprepsuryāsi tatra tapodhana

that you can destroy my poison, best of brahmins, or that of anyone like me. But what gain are you seeking, ascetic, that you go there?

Verse 13 (1.43.13)

यत्तेऽभिलषितं प्राप्तं फलं तस्मान्नृपोत्तमात् । अहमेव प्रदास्यामि तत्ते यद्यपि दुर्लभम् ॥

yatte'bhilaṣitaṃ prāptaṃ phalaṃ tasmānnṛpottamāt | ahameva pradāsyāmi tatte yadyapi durlabham

Whatever reward you hoped to win from that best of kings, I myself will give you, however hard it may be to come by.

Verse 14 (1.43.14)

विप्रशापाभिभूते च क्षीणायुषि नराधिपे । घटमानस्य ते विप्र सिद्धिः संशयिता भवेत् ॥

vipraśāpābhibhūte ca kṣīṇāyuṣi narādhipe | ghaṭamānasya te vipra siddhiḥ saṃśayitā bhavet

The king has been struck down by a brahmin's curse and his life is spent. Even if you strive, brahmin, your success would be in doubt.

Verse 15 (1.43.15)

ततो यशः प्रदीप्तं ते त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम् । निरंशुरिव घर्मांशुरन्तर्धानमितो व्रजेत् ॥

tato yaśaḥ pradīptaṃ te triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam | niraṃśuriva gharmāṃśurantardhānamito vrajet

And then your shining fame, known throughout the three worlds, would vanish from here like the sun robbed of its rays."

Verse 16 (1.43.16)

धनार्थी याम्यहं तत्र तन्मे देहि भुजंगम । ततोऽहं विनिवर्तिष्ये स्वापतेयं प्रगृह्य वै ॥

dhanārthī yāmyahaṃ tatra tanme dehi bhujaṃgama | tato'haṃ vinivartiṣye svāpateyaṃ pragṛhya vai

"I am going there for wealth. Give it to me, serpent, and I shall take the riches and turn back."

Verse 17 (1.43.17)

यावद्धनं प्रार्थयसे तस्माद्राज्ञस्ततोऽधिकम् । अहमेव प्रदास्यामि निवर्तस्व द्विजोत्तम ॥

yāvaddhanaṃ prārthayase tasmādrājñastato'dhikam | ahameva pradāsyāmi nivartasva dvijottama

"Whatever wealth you would ask of that king, I myself will give you more than that. Turn back, best of brahmins."

Verse 18 (1.43.18)

तक्षकस्य वचः श्रुत्वा काश्यपो द्विजसत्तमः । प्रदध्यौ सुमहातेजा राजानं प्रति बुद्धिमान् ॥

takṣakasya vacaḥ śrutvā kāśyapo dvijasattamaḥ | pradadhyau sumahātejā rājānaṃ prati buddhimān

Hearing Takshaka's words, Kashyapa, best of brahmins, wise and of great power, turned his mind to the king.

Note on the text: Restored the missing word break in सुमहातेजाराजानं → सुमहातेजा राजानं.

Verse 19 (1.43.19)

दिव्यज्ञानः स तेजस्वी ज्ञात्वा तं नृपतिं तदा । क्षीणायुषं पाण्डवेयमपावर्तत काश्यपः ॥

divyajñānaḥ sa tejasvī jñātvā taṃ nṛpatiṃ tadā | kṣīṇāyuṣaṃ pāṇḍaveyamapāvartata kāśyapaḥ

Possessed of divine insight, the radiant Kashyapa saw that the Pandava king's life had run its course, and he turned back,

Verse 20 (1.43.20)

लब्ध्वा वित्तं मुनिवरस्तक्षकाद्यावदीप्सितम् । निवृत्ते काश्यपे तस्मिन्समयेन महात्मनि ॥

labdhvā vittaṃ munivarastakṣakādyāvadīpsitam | nivṛtte kāśyape tasminsamayena mahātmani

having received from Takshaka as much wealth as he wished. When the great-souled Kashyapa had turned back as agreed,

Note on the text: Spans the last line of 1.39.19 and the first half of 1.39.20 in the critical edition.

Verse 21 (1.43.21)

जगाम तक्षकस्तूर्णं नगरं नागसाह्वयम् । अथ शुश्राव गच्छन्स तक्षको जगतीपतिम् ॥

jagāma takṣakastūrṇaṃ nagaraṃ nāgasāhvayam | atha śuśrāva gacchansa takṣako jagatīpatim

Takshaka went swiftly to the city named after the elephant, Hastinapura. On his way Takshaka heard that the lord of the earth

Note on the text: Half-lines are divided differently here from the critical edition: this verse spans the second half of 1.39.20 and the first half of 1.39.21.

Verse 22 (1.43.22)

मन्त्रैर्विषहरैर्दिव्यै रक्ष्यमाणं प्रयत्नतः । स चिन्तयामास तदा मायायोगेन पार्थिवः ॥

mantrairviṣaharairdivyai rakṣyamāṇaṃ prayatnataḥ | sa cintayāmāsa tadā māyāyogena pārthivaḥ

was being carefully guarded with divine mantras that cure poison. Then he pondered: "By the power of illusion that king

Note on the text: Half-lines are divided differently here from the critical edition: this verse spans the second half of 1.39.21 and the first half of 1.39.22.

Verse 23 (1.43.23)

मया वञ्चयितव्योऽसौ क उपायो भवेदिति । ततस्तापसरूपेण प्राहिणोत्स भुजंगमान् ॥

mayā vañcayitavyo'sau ka upāyo bhavediti | tatastāpasarūpeṇa prāhiṇotsa bhujaṃgamān

must be deceived by me—but by what means?" Then, in the guise of ascetics, he sent out serpents

Note on the text: Half-lines are divided differently here from the critical edition: this verse spans the second half of 1.39.22 and the first half of 1.39.23.

Verse 24 (1.43.24)

फलपत्रोदकं गृह्य राज्ञे नागोऽथ तक्षकः । गच्छध्वं यूयमव्यग्रा राजानं कार्यवत्तया ॥

phalapatrodakaṃ gṛhya rājñe nāgo'tha takṣakaḥ | gacchadhvaṃ yūyamavyagrā rājānaṃ kāryavattayā

carrying fruit, leaves and water for the king. Takshaka the serpent told them, "Go to the king, all of you, unhurried, as if on some business,

Note on the text: Half-lines are divided differently here from the critical edition: this verse spans the second half of 1.39.23 and the first half of 1.39.24.

Verse 25 (1.43.25)

फलपत्रोदकं नागाः प्रतिग्राहयितुं नृपम् । ते तक्षकसमादिष्टास्तथा चक्रुर्भुजङ्गमाः ॥

phalapatrodakaṃ nāgāḥ pratigrāhayituṃ nṛpam | te takṣakasamādiṣṭāstathā cakrurbhujaṅgamāḥ

serpents, to make the king accept fruit, leaves and water." Instructed by Takshaka, the serpents did just that.

Note on the text: Half-lines are divided differently here from the critical edition: this verse spans the second half of 1.39.24 and the first half of 1.39.25.

Verse 26 (1.43.26)

उपनिन्युस्तथा राज्ञे दर्भानम्भः फलानि च । तच्च सर्वं स राजेन्द्रः प्रतिजग्राह वीर्यवान् ॥

upaninyustathā rājñe darbhānambhaḥ phalāni ca | tacca sarvaṃ sa rājendraḥ pratijagrāha vīryavān

They brought the king kusha grass, water and fruits, and the mighty king of kings accepted all of it.

Note on the text: Half-lines are divided differently here from the critical edition: this verse spans the second half of 1.39.25 and the first half of 1.39.26.

Verse 27 (1.43.27)

कृत्वा तेषां च कार्याणि गम्यतामित्युवाच तान् । गतेषु तेषु नागेषु तापसच्छद्मरूपिषु ॥

kṛtvā teṣāṃ ca kāryāṇi gamyatāmityuvāca tān | gateṣu teṣu nāgeṣu tāpasacchadmarūpiṣu

When he had seen to their business he told them, "You may go." After those serpents disguised as ascetics had gone,

Note on the text: Half-lines are divided differently here from the critical edition: this verse spans the second half of 1.39.26 and the first half of 1.39.27.

Verse 28 (1.43.28)

अमात्यान्सुहृदश्चैव प्रोवाच स नराधिपः । भक्षयन्तु भवन्तो वै स्वादूनीमानि सर्वशः ॥

amātyānsuhṛdaścaiva provāca sa narādhipaḥ | bhakṣayantu bhavanto vai svādūnīmāni sarvaśaḥ

the king said to his ministers and friends, "Eat, all of you, these sweet fruits

Note on the text: Half-lines are divided differently here from the critical edition: this verse spans the second half of 1.39.27 and the first half of 1.39.28.

Verse 29 (1.43.29)

तापसैरुपनीतानि फलानि सहिता मया । ततो राजा ससचिवः फलान्यादातुमैच्छत ॥

tāpasairupanītāni phalāni sahitā mayā | tato rājā sasacivaḥ phalānyādātumaicchata

brought by the ascetics, together with me." Then the king and his ministers wished to take up the fruits.

Note on the text: Half-lines are divided differently here from the critical edition: this verse spans the second half of 1.39.28 and the first half of 1.39.29.

Verse 30 (1.43.30)

विधिना संप्रयुक्तो वै ऋषिवाक्येन तेन तु । यस्मिन्नेव फले नागस्तमेवाभक्षयत्स्वयम् ॥

vidhinā saṃprayukto vai ṛṣivākyena tena tu | yasminneva phale nāgastamevābhakṣayatsvayam

Driven by fate and by the word of that sage, the king himself ate the very fruit in which the serpent lay.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 31 (1.43.31)

ततो भक्षयतस्तस्य फलात्कृमिरभूदणुः । ह्रस्वकः कृष्णनयनस्ताम्रवर्णोऽथ शौनक ॥

tato bhakṣayatastasya phalātkṛmirabhūdaṇuḥ | hrasvakaḥ kṛṣṇanayanastāmravarṇo'tha śaunaka

As he was eating, a tiny worm came out of the fruit, small, black-eyed and copper-coloured, O Shaunaka.

Note on the text: Corresponds to the second and third lines of 1.39.29 in the critical edition; the first line here is a variant reading.

Verse 32 (1.43.32)

स तं गृह्य नृपश्रेष्ठः सचिवानिदमब्रवीत् । अस्तमभ्येति सविता विषादद्य न मे भयम् ॥

sa taṃ gṛhya nṛpaśreṣṭhaḥ sacivānidamabravīt | astamabhyeti savitā viṣādadya na me bhayam

Taking hold of it, the best of kings said to his ministers, "The sun is setting; today I have no fear of poison.

Verse 33 (1.43.33)

सत्यवागस्तु स मुनिः कृमिर्मां दशतामयम् । तक्षको नाम भूत्वा वै तथा परिहृतं भवेत् ॥

satyavāgastu sa muniḥ kṛmirmāṃ daśatāmayam | takṣako nāma bhūtvā vai tathā parihṛtaṃ bhavet

Let the sage's word come true: let this worm become Takshaka and bite me. That way the danger will be set aside."

Verse 34 (1.43.34)

ते चैनमन्ववर्तन्त मन्त्रिणः कालचोदिताः । एवमुक्त्वा स राजेन्द्रो ग्रीवायां सन्निवेश्य ह ॥

te cainamanvavartanta mantriṇaḥ kālacoditāḥ | evamuktvā sa rājendro grīvāyāṃ sanniveśya ha

The ministers, driven by fate, agreed with him. Having spoken thus, the king of kings placed the worm on his neck

Note on the text: Restored the missing word break in सन्निवेश्यह → सन्निवेश्य ह.

Verse 35 (1.43.35)

कृमिकं प्राहसत्तूर्णं मुमूर्षुर्नष्टचेतनः । प्रहसन्नेव भोगेन तक्षकेणाभिवेष्टितः ॥

kṛmikaṃ prāhasattūrṇaṃ mumūrṣurnaṣṭacetanaḥ | prahasanneva bhogena takṣakeṇābhiveṣṭitaḥ

and at once burst out laughing, a man about to die, his senses gone. Even as he laughed he was wound about by Takshaka's coils—

Note on the text: Spans the last line of 1.39.32 and the first half of 1.39.33 in the critical edition.

Verse 36 (1.43.36)

तस्मात्फलाद्विनिष्क्रम्य यत्तद्राज्ञे निवेदितम् । वेष्टयित्वा च भोगेन विनद्य च महास्वनम् । अदशत्पृथिवीपालं तक्षकः पन्नगेश्वरः ॥

tasmātphalādviniṣkramya yattadrājñe niveditam | veṣṭayitvā ca bhogena vinadya ca mahāsvanam | adaśatpṛthivīpālaṃ takṣakaḥ pannageśvaraḥ

Takshaka, who had come out of the fruit that was offered to the king. Coiling his body round him and roaring with a mighty sound, Takshaka, lord of serpents, bit the protector of the earth.

Note on the text: The first line is the second half of 1.39.33 in the critical edition. The last two lines are not in the critical-edition text supplied for this passage (found in the vulgate recension).