The Death of Parikshit

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.2.10.1)

सूत उवाच । तस्मिन्नेव दिने नाम्ना तक्षकस्तं नृपोत्तमम् । शप्तं ज्ञात्वा गृहात्तूर्णं निःसृतः पुरुषोत्तमः

sūta uvāca tasminneva dine nāmnā takṣakastaṁ nṛpottamam śaptaṁ jñātvā gṛhāttūrṇaṁ niḥsṛtaḥ puruṣottamaḥ

Suta said: That same day, the excellent serpent named Takshaka, learning that this foremost king had been cursed, set out at once from his own abode.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.2.10.2)

वृद्धब्राह्मणवेषेण तक्षकः पथि निर्गतः । अपश्यत्कश्यपं मार्गे व्रजन्तं नृपतिं प्रति

vṛddhabrāhmaṇaveṣeṇa takṣakaḥ pathi nirgataḥ apaśyatkaśyapaṁ mārge vrajantaṁ nṛpatiṁ prati

Assuming the guise of an old brahmin, Takshaka set out upon the road; there he saw Kashyapa travelling toward the king.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.2.10.3)

तमपृच्छत्पन्नगोऽसौ ब्राह्मणं मन्त्रवादिनम् । क्व भवांस्त्वरितो याति किञ्च कार्यं चिकीर्षति

tamapṛcchatpannago'sau brāhmaṇaṁ mantravādinam kva bhavāṁstvarito yāti kiñca kāryaṁ cikīrṣati

That serpent asked that mantra-versed brahmin, "Where do you go, sir, in such haste, and what task do you mean to accomplish?"

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.2.10.4)

कश्यप उवाच । परीक्षितं नृपश्रेष्ठं तक्षकश्च प्रधक्ष्यति । तत्राहं त्वरितो यामि नृपं कर्तुमपज्वरम्

kaśyapa uvāca parīkṣitaṁ nṛpaśreṣṭhaṁ takṣakaśca pradhakṣyati tatrāhaṁ tvarito yāmi nṛpaṁ kartumapajvaram

Kashyapa said: "Takshaka is going to burn to ashes the excellent King Parikshit; I go there in haste, to free the king of that burning poison.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.2.10.5)

मन्त्रोऽस्ति मम विप्रेन्द्र विषनाशकरः किल । जीवयिष्याम्यहं तं वै जीवितव्येऽधुना किल

mantro'sti mama viprendra viṣanāśakaraḥ kila jīvayiṣyāmyahaṁ taṁ vai jīvitavye'dhunā kila

O foremost of brahmins, I possess a mantra that destroys poison; I shall surely bring him back to life — he is fated to live still."

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.2.10.6)

तक्षक उवाच । अहं स पन्नगो ब्रह्मंस्तं धक्ष्यामि महीपतिम् । निवर्तस्व न शक्तस्त्वं मया दष्टं चिकित्सितुम्

takṣaka uvāca ahaṁ sa pannago brahmaṁstaṁ dhakṣyāmi mahīpatim nivartasva na śaktastvaṁ mayā daṣṭaṁ cikitsitum

Takshaka said: "O brahmin, I myself am that serpent who shall burn that king to ashes. Turn back — you are not capable of curing one bitten by me."

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.2.10.7)

कश्यप उवाच । अहं दष्टं त्वया सर्प नृपं शप्तं द्विजेन वै । जीवयिष्याम्यसन्देहं कामं मन्त्रबलेन वै

kaśyapa uvāca ahaṁ daṣṭaṁ tvayā sarpa nṛpaṁ śaptaṁ dvijena vai jīvayiṣyāmyasandehaṁ kāmaṁ mantrabalena vai

Kashyapa said: "O serpent, the king you bite, cursed already by that brahmin — I shall, without any doubt, restore him to life by the power of my mantra."

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.2.10.8)

तक्षक उवाच । यदि त्वं जीवितुं यासि मया दष्टं नृपोत्तमम् । मन्त्रशक्तिबलं विप्र दर्शय त्वं ममानघ

takṣaka uvāca yadi tvaṁ jīvituṁ yāsi mayā daṣṭaṁ nṛpottamam mantraśaktibalaṁ vipra darśaya tvaṁ mamānagha

Takshaka said: "O sinless brahmin, if you can indeed restore to life that excellent king once I have bitten him, then show me now the strength of your mantra-power.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.2.10.9)

धक्ष्याम्येनं च न्यग्रोधं विषदंष्ट्राभिरद्य वै । कश्यप उवाच । जीवयिष्ये त्वया दष्टं दग्धं वा पन्नगोत्तम

dhakṣyāmyenaṁ ca nyagrodhaṁ viṣadaṁṣṭrābhiradya vai kaśyapa uvāca jīvayiṣye tvayā daṣṭaṁ dagdhaṁ vā pannagottama

This very moment I shall burn this banyan tree to ashes with my venomous fangs." Kashyapa said: "Even this tree, whether bitten or burned by you, O foremost of serpents, I shall bring back to life."

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.2.10.10)

सूत उवाच । अदशत्पन्नगो वृक्षं भस्मसाच्च चकार तम् । उवाच कश्यपं भूयो जीवयैनं द्विजोत्तम

sūta uvāca adaśatpannago vṛkṣaṁ bhasmasācca cakāra tam uvāca kaśyapaṁ bhūyo jīvayainaṁ dvijottama

Suta said: The serpent bit the tree and reduced it to ashes. Then he said to Kashyapa, "Now, O foremost of the twice-born, restore it to life."

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.2.10.11)

दृष्ट्वा भस्मीकृतं वृक्षं पन्नगेन विषाग्निना । सर्वं भस्म समाहृत्य कश्यपो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

dṛṣṭvā bhasmīkṛtaṁ vṛkṣaṁ pannagena viṣāgninā sarvaṁ bhasma samāhṛtya kaśyapo vākyamabravīt

Seeing that tree reduced to ashes by the serpent's venomous fire, Kashyapa gathered up all the ashes and spoke these words.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.2.10.12)

पश्य मन्त्रबलं मेऽद्य न्यग्रोधं पन्नगोत्तम । जीवयाम्यद्य वृक्षं वै पश्यतस्ते महाविष

paśya mantrabalaṁ me'dya nyagrodhaṁ pannagottama jīvayāmyadya vṛkṣaṁ vai paśyataste mahāviṣa

"O foremost of serpents, behold today the power of my mantra — this banyan tree I now bring back to life, O most venomous one, right before your very eyes."

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.2.10.13)

इत्युक्त्वा जलमादाय कश्यपो मन्त्रवित्तमः । सिषेच भस्मराशिं तं मन्त्रितेनैव वारिणा

ityuktvā jalamādāya kaśyapo mantravittamaḥ siṣeca bhasmarāśiṁ taṁ mantritenaiva vāriṇā

Having spoken thus, taking water, Kashyapa, most skilled in mantra-lore, sprinkled that pile of ashes with water charged with the mantra.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.2.10.14)

तद्वारिसेचनाज्जातो न्यग्रोधः पूर्ववच्छुभः । विस्मयं तक्षकः प्राप्तो दृष्ट्वा तं जीवितं नगम्

tadvārisecanājjāto nyagrodhaḥ pūrvavacchubhaḥ vismayaṁ takṣakaḥ prāpto dṛṣṭvā taṁ jīvitaṁ nagam

By that watering, the banyan tree grew back again, auspicious and just as it had been before. Seeing that tree restored to life, Takshaka was struck with great wonder.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.2.10.15)

तमाह कश्यपं नागः किमर्थं ते परिश्रमः । सम्पादयामि तं कामं ब्रूहि वाडव वाञ्छितम्

tamāha kaśyapaṁ nāgaḥ kimarthaṁ te pariśramaḥ sampādayāmi taṁ kāmaṁ brūhi vāḍava vāñchitam

That serpent said to Kashyapa, "To what purpose is this effort of yours? Whatever desire you cherish, O brahmin, tell me, and I shall fulfil it."

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.2.10.16)

कश्यप उवाच । वित्तार्थी नृपतिं मत्वा शप्तं पन्नग निःसृतः । गृहादहं चोपकर्तुं विद्यया नृपसत्तमम्

kaśyapa uvāca vittārthī nṛpatiṁ matvā śaptaṁ pannaga niḥsṛtaḥ gṛhādahaṁ copakartuṁ vidyayā nṛpasattamam

Kashyapa said: "O serpent, I am desirous of wealth, and, learning that the king had been cursed, I set out from my home solely to aid that excellent king by means of my learning."

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.2.10.17)

तक्षक उवाच । वित्तं गृहाण विप्रेन्द्र यावदिच्छसि पार्थिवात् । ददामि स्वगृहं याहि सकामोऽहं भवाम्यतः

takṣaka uvāca vittaṁ gṛhāṇa viprendra yāvadicchasi pārthivāt dadāmi svagṛhaṁ yāhi sakāmo'haṁ bhavāmyataḥ

Takshaka said: "O foremost of brahmins, take from me as much wealth as you desired from the king; I shall give it to you — go home, and by this I too shall have my wish fulfilled."

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.2.10.18)

सूत उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य कश्यपः परमार्थवित् । चिन्तयामास मनसा किं करोमि पुनः पुनः

sūta uvāca tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya kaśyapaḥ paramārthavit cintayāmāsa manasā kiṁ karomi punaḥ punaḥ

Suta said: Hearing his words, Kashyapa, versed in the deeper truth of things, began again and again to ponder in his mind, "What am I now to do?

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.2.10.19)

धनं गहीत्वा स्वगृहं प्रयामि यद्यहं पुनः । भविष्यति न मे कीर्तिर्लोके लोभसमाश्रयात्

dhanaṁ gahītvā svagṛhaṁ prayāmi yadyahaṁ punaḥ bhaviṣyati na me kīrtirloke lobhasamāśrayāt

If I take this wealth and return home once more, I shall have no fame at all in the world, seen only as one driven by greed.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.2.10.20)

जीवितेऽथ नृपश्रेष्ठे कीर्तिः स्यादचला मम । धनप्राप्तिश्च बहुधा भवेत्पुण्यं च जीवनात्

jīvite'tha nṛpaśreṣṭhe kīrtiḥ syādacalā mama dhanaprāptiśca bahudhā bhavetpuṇyaṁ ca jīvanāt

But if that excellent king lives, my fame shall stand unshaken, and from saving his life, wealth in many forms and merit too shall come to me.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.2.10.21)

रक्षणीयं यशः कामं धिग्धनं यशसा विना । सर्वस्वं रघुणा पूर्वं दत्तं विप्राय कीर्तये

rakṣaṇīyaṁ yaśaḥ kāmaṁ dhigdhanaṁ yaśasā vinā sarvasvaṁ raghuṇā pūrvaṁ dattaṁ viprāya kīrtaye

One should always guard one's honour above all; wealth without honour is contemptible. In earlier times King Raghu, for the sake of fame, gave his entire wealth to a brahmin.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.2.10.22)

हरिश्चन्द्रेण कर्णेन कीर्त्यर्थं बहुविस्तरम् । उपेक्षेयं कथं भूपं दह्यमानं विषाग्निना

hariścandreṇa karṇena kīrtyarthaṁ bahuvistaram upekṣeyaṁ kathaṁ bhūpaṁ dahyamānaṁ viṣāgninā

Harishchandra and Karna too gave up a great deal for the sake of fame — how then could I neglect that cursed king as he burns in the fire of poison?

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.2.10.23)

जीवितेऽद्य मया राज्ञि सुखं सर्वजनस्य च । अराजके प्रजानाशो भविता नात्र संशयः

jīvite'dya mayā rājñi sukhaṁ sarvajanasya ca arājake prajānāśo bhavitā nātra saṁśayaḥ

Today, by my act, should the king live, happiness will come to all his subjects; and in the absence of a ruler, the ruin of the people would surely follow, without doubt.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.2.10.24)

प्रजानाशस्य पापं मे भविष्यति मृते नृपे । अपकीर्तिश्च लोकेषु धनलोभाद्भविष्यति

prajānāśasya pāpaṁ me bhaviṣyati mṛte nṛpe apakīrtiśca lokeṣu dhanalobhādbhaviṣyati

If the king dies, the sin of the people's destruction will fall upon me, and through greed for wealth, disgrace too shall follow me in this world."

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.2.10.25)

इति सञ्चिन्त्य मनसा ध्यानं कृत्वा स कश्यपः । गतायुषं च नृपतिं ज्ञातवाम्बुद्धिमत्तरः

iti sañcintya manasā dhyānaṁ kṛtvā sa kaśyapaḥ gatāyuṣaṁ ca nṛpatiṁ jñātavāmbuddhimattaraḥ

Reflecting thus in his mind, and entering into meditation, that most intelligent Kashyapa came to know that the king's allotted span of life had already run out.

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.2.10.26)

आसन्नमृत्युं राजानं ज्ञात्वा ध्यानेन कश्यपः । गृहं ययौ स धर्मात्मा धनमादाय तक्षकात्

āsannamṛtyuṁ rājānaṁ jñātvā dhyānena kaśyapaḥ gṛhaṁ yayau sa dharmātmā dhanamādāya takṣakāt

Perceiving, through his meditation, the king's impending death, that righteous Kashyapa, having taken the wealth from Takshaka, returned to his own home.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.2.10.27)

निवर्त्य कश्यपं सर्पः सप्तमे दिवसे नृपम् । हन्तुकामो जगामाशु नगरं नागसाह्वयम्

nivartya kaśyapaṁ sarpaḥ saptame divase nṛpam hantukāmo jagāmāśu nagaraṁ nāgasāhvayam

Having thus turned Kashyapa back, that serpent, on the seventh day, desirous of slaying the king, set out swiftly for the city of Hastinapura.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.2.10.28)

शुश्राव नगरस्यान्ते प्रासादस्थं परीक्षितम् । मणिमन्त्रौषधैः कामं रक्ष्यमाणमतन्द्रितम्

śuśrāva nagarasyānte prāsādasthaṁ parīkṣitam maṇimantrauṣadhaiḥ kāmaṁ rakṣyamāṇamatandritam

Even at the outskirts of the city he heard that Parikshit was dwelling in that palace, thoroughly and vigilantly protected by gems, mantras, and herbs.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.2.10.29)

चिन्ताविष्टस्तदा नागो विप्रशापभयाकुलः । चिन्तयामास योगेन प्रविशेयं गृहं कथम्

cintāviṣṭastadā nāgo vipraśāpabhayākulaḥ cintayāmāsa yogena praviśeyaṁ gṛhaṁ katham

Then that anxious serpent, distressed by fear of the brahmin's curse, began to consider through meditation how he might enter that dwelling,

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.2.10.30)

वञ्जयामि कथं चैनं राजानं पापकारिणम् । विप्रशापाद्धतं मूढं विप्रपीडाकरं शठम्

vañjayāmi kathaṁ cainaṁ rājānaṁ pāpakāriṇam vipraśāpāddhataṁ mūḍhaṁ viprapīḍākaraṁ śaṭham

and how he might deceive that sinful king — one destined to die by a brahmin's curse, a foolish, deceitful man who had brought harm to a brahmin.

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.2.10.31)

पाण्डवानां कुले जातः कोऽपि नैतादृशो भवेत् । तापसस्य गले येन मृतः सर्पो निवेशितः

pāṇḍavānāṁ kule jātaḥ ko'pi naitādṛśo bhavet tāpasasya gale yena mṛtaḥ sarpo niveśitaḥ

"Even born into the lineage of the Pandavas, no one ought to have been like this — one who placed a dead snake about an ascetic's neck,

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.2.10.32)

कृत्वा विगर्हितं कर्म जानन्कालगतिं नृपः । रक्षकान्भवने कृत्वा प्रासादमभिगम्य च

kṛtvā vigarhitaṁ karma jānankālagatiṁ nṛpaḥ rakṣakānbhavane kṛtvā prāsādamabhigamya ca

having committed so contemptible an act, that king, knowing the course of time approaching him, has stationed guards in his palace and, ascending it,

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.2.10.33)

मृत्युं वञ्चयते राजा वर्ततेऽद्य निराकुलः । तं कथं धक्षयिष्यामि विप्रवाक्येन चोदितः

mṛtyuṁ vañcayate rājā vartate'dya nirākulaḥ taṁ kathaṁ dhakṣayiṣyāmi vipravākyena coditaḥ

now sits there today undisturbed, trying to cheat death itself. How, driven by the word of a brahmin, am I to burn him?

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.2.10.34)

न जानाति च मन्दात्मा मरणं ह्यनिवर्तनम् । तेनासौ रक्षकान्स्थाप्य सौधारूढोऽद्य मोदते

na jānāti ca mandātmā maraṇaṁ hyanivartanam tenāsau rakṣakānsthāpya saudhārūḍho'dya modate

This dull-witted fool does not know that death cannot be turned aside; and so, having stationed his guards and mounted his palace, he sits there rejoicing today.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.2.10.35)

यदि वै विहितो मृत्युर्दैवेनामिततेजसा । स कथं परिवर्तेत कृतैर्यत्नैस्तु कोटिभिः

yadi vai vihito mṛtyurdaivenāmitatejasā sa kathaṁ parivarteta kṛtairyatnaistu koṭibhiḥ

If death has been ordained by an all-powerful destiny, how could it ever be turned back, even by a million efforts?

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.2.10.36)

पाण्डवस्य च दायादो जानन्मृत्युं गतं नृपः । जीवने मतिमास्थाय स्थितः स्थाने निराकुलः

pāṇḍavasya ca dāyādo jānanmṛtyuṁ gataṁ nṛpaḥ jīvane matimāsthāya sthitaḥ sthāne nirākulaḥ

This king, heir to Pandu, though knowing his own death has drawn near, keeps his mind fixed only on living, and sits there, at that place, wholly undisturbed.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.2.10.37)

दानपुण्यादिकं राजा कर्तुमर्हति सर्वथा । धर्मेण हन्यते व्याधिर्येनायुः शाश्वतं भवेत्

dānapuṇyādikaṁ rājā kartumarhati sarvathā dharmeṇa hanyate vyādhiryenāyuḥ śāśvataṁ bhavet

The king ought rightly to have engaged himself wholly in charity and merit; disease is destroyed by dharma alone, and by that a lifespan may endure unbroken.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.2.10.38)

नोचेन्मृत्युविधिं कृत्वा स्नानदानादिकाः क्रियाः । मरणं स्वर्गलोकाय नरकायान्यथा भवेतू

nocenmṛtyuvidhiṁ kṛtvā snānadānādikāḥ kriyāḥ maraṇaṁ svargalokāya narakāyānyathā bhavetū

Otherwise, if the ritual of death is fulfilled through bathing, giving alms, and the like, death leads to heaven; failing that, it leads to hell instead.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.2.10.39)

द्विजपीडाकृतं पापं पृथग्वास्य च भूपतेः । विप्रशापस्तथा घोर आसन्ने मरणे किल

dvijapīḍākṛtaṁ pāpaṁ pṛthagvāsya ca bhūpateḥ vipraśāpastathā ghora āsanne maraṇe kila

The sin arising from causing harm to a brahmin stands separately upon that king, and upon it too lies that dreadful brahmin's curse, with his death now so near.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.2.10.40)

न कोऽपि ब्राह्मणः पार्श्वे य एनं प्रतिबोधयेत् । वेधसा विहितो मृत्युरनिवार्यस्तु सर्वथा

na ko'pi brāhmaṇaḥ pārśve ya enaṁ pratibodhayet vedhasā vihito mṛtyuranivāryastu sarvathā

Nor is there beside him any brahmin who might awaken him to all this. Death, ordained by the Creator, is in every way inescapable."

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.2.10.41)

इति सञ्चिन्त्य सर्पोऽसौ स्वान्नागान्निकटे स्थितान् । कृत्वा तापसवेषांस्तान्प्राहिणोत्सुभुजङ्गमान्

iti sañcintya sarpo'sau svānnāgānnikaṭe sthitān kṛtvā tāpasaveṣāṁstānprāhiṇotsubhujaṅgamān

Having considered thus, that serpent had his fellow serpents standing nearby assume the guise of ascetics, and sent those serpents forth to the king.

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.2.10.42)

फलमूलादिकं गृह्य राज्ञे नागोऽथ तक्षकः । स्वयं च कीटरूपेण फलमध्ये ससार ह

phalamūlādikaṁ gṛhya rājñe nāgo'tha takṣakaḥ svayaṁ ca kīṭarūpeṇa phalamadhye sasāra ha

Taking fruits, roots, and the like, those serpents went to the king; and Takshaka himself, assuming the form of a tiny worm, entered inside one of those fruits.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.2.10.43)

निर्गतास्ते तदा नागाः फलान्यादाय सत्वराः । ते राजभवनं प्राप्य स्थिताः प्रासादसन्निधौ

nirgatāste tadā nāgāḥ phalānyādāya satvarāḥ te rājabhavanaṁ prāpya sthitāḥ prāsādasannidhau

Then those serpents, taking the fruits, swiftly set out, and reaching the royal palace, stood there near that great tower.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.2.10.44)

रक्षकास्तापसान्दृष्ट्वा पप्रच्छुस्तच्चिकीर्षितम् । ऊचुस्ते भूपतिं द्रष्टुं प्राप्ताः स्मोऽद्य तपोवनात्

rakṣakāstāpasāndṛṣṭvā papracchustaccikīrṣitam ūcuste bhūpatiṁ draṣṭuṁ prāptāḥ smo'dya tapovanāt

The guards, seeing those ascetics, asked their purpose. They said, "We have come today from our forest hermitage to see the king.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.2.10.45)

अभिमन्युसुतं वीरं कुलार्कं चारुदर्शनम् । परिवर्धयितुं प्राप्ता मन्त्रैराथर्वणैस्तथा

abhimanyusutaṁ vīraṁ kulārkaṁ cārudarśanam parivardhayituṁ prāptā mantrairātharvaṇaistathā

We have come to grant, through mantras of the Atharva Veda, a blessing for the increase of life of that hero, the sun of his lineage, most handsome to behold, the son of Abhimanyu.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.2.10.46)

निवेदयध्वं राजानं दर्शनार्थागतान्मुनीन् । कृत्वाभिषेकान्यास्यामो दत्त्वा मिष्टफलानिच

nivedayadhvaṁ rājānaṁ darśanārthāgatānmunīn kṛtvābhiṣekānyāsyāmo dattvā miṣṭaphalānica

Inform the king that sages have arrived, wishing to see him; having bestowed our blessing and given him sweet fruits, we shall then depart.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.2.10.47)

भारतानां कुले वापि न दृष्टा द्वाररक्षकाः । न श्रुतं तापसानां तु राज्ञोऽसन्दर्शनं किल

bhāratānāṁ kule vāpi na dṛṣṭā dvārarakṣakāḥ na śrutaṁ tāpasānāṁ tu rājño'sandarśanaṁ kila

Never before, in the whole lineage of the Bharatas, has this custom of doorkeepers barring the way been seen; nor has it ever been heard that ascetics were denied audience with a king.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.2.10.48)

आरोहामो वयं तत्र यत्र राजा परीक्षितः । आशीर्भिर्वर्धयित्वैनं दत्ताज्ञाः प्रव्रजामहे

ārohāmo vayaṁ tatra yatra rājā parīkṣitaḥ āśīrbhirvardhayitvainaṁ dattājñāḥ pravrajāmahe

We shall ascend to that very place where King Parikshit sits; having granted him increase of life through our blessings, and having received his leave, we shall then depart."

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.2.10.49)

सूत उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तेषां तापसानां तु रक्षकाः । प्रत्यूचुस्तान् द्विजान्मत्वा निदेशं भूपतेर्यथा

sūta uvāca ityākarṇya vacasteṣāṁ tāpasānāṁ tu rakṣakāḥ pratyūcustān dvijānmatvā nideśaṁ bhūpateryathā

Suta said: Hearing these words of those ascetics, and taking them to be true brahmins, the guards, in keeping with the king's own command, replied to them.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.2.10.50)

नाद्य वो दर्शनं विप्रा राज्ञः स्यादिति नो मतिः । श्वः सर्वतापसैरत्र त्वागन्तव्यं नृपालये

nādya vo darśanaṁ viprā rājñaḥ syāditi no matiḥ śvaḥ sarvatāpasairatra tvāgantavyaṁ nṛpālaye

"O brahmins, we believe you cannot have audience with the king today. O ascetics, all of you must come here tomorrow to the royal palace.

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.2.10.51)

अनारोहस्तु प्रासादो विप्राणां मुनिसत्तमाः । विप्रशापभयाद्राज्ञा विहितोऽस्ति न संशयः

anārohastu prāsādo viprāṇāṁ munisattamāḥ vipraśāpabhayādrājñā vihito'sti na saṁśayaḥ

O foremost of sages, even brahmins are not permitted to ascend this palace; this restriction was ordained by the king himself, out of fear of a brahmin's curse, without any doubt."

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.2.10.52)

तदोचुस्तानथो विप्राः फलमूलजलानि च । विप्राशिषश्च राज्ञेऽथ ग्राहयन्तु सुरक्षकाः

tadocustānatho viprāḥ phalamūlajalāni ca viprāśiṣaśca rājñe'tha grāhayantu surakṣakāḥ

Then those brahmins said to the guards, "Deliver these fruits, roots, and water of ours, together with our blessings, to the king."

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.2.10.53)

ते गत्वा नृपतिं प्रोचुस्तापसानागताञ्जनाः । राजोवाचानयध्वं वै फलमूलादिकं च यत्

te gatvā nṛpatiṁ procustāpasānāgatāñjanāḥ rājovācānayadhvaṁ vai phalamūlādikaṁ ca yat

Those guards went to the king and told him that ascetics had come. The king said, "Bring me whatever fruits, roots, and the like they have brought.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.2.10.54)

पृच्छध्वं तापसान्कार्यं प्रातरागमनं पुनः । प्रणामं कथयध्वं मे नाद्य सन्दर्शनं मम

pṛcchadhvaṁ tāpasānkāryaṁ prātarāgamanaṁ punaḥ praṇāmaṁ kathayadhvaṁ me nādya sandarśanaṁ mama

Ask the ascetics their purpose, and tell them to come again tomorrow. Convey my greetings to them; today there shall be no audience with me."

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.2.10.55)

ते गत्वाथ समादाय फलमूलादिकं च यत् । राज्ञे समर्पयामासुर्बहुमानपुरःसरम्

te gatvātha samādāya phalamūlādikaṁ ca yat rājñe samarpayāmāsurbahumānapuraḥsaram

They went, and, taking all the fruits, roots, and the rest, presented them to the king with the greatest respect.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.2.10.56)

गतेषु तेषु नागेषु विप्रवेषावृतेषु च । फलान्यादाय राजासौ सचिवानिदमब्रवीत्

gateṣu teṣu nāgeṣu vipraveṣāvṛteṣu ca phalānyādāya rājāsau sacivānidamabravīt

When those serpents disguised as brahmins had departed, the king, taking those fruits, said this to his ministers.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.2.10.57)

सुहृदो भक्षयन्त्वद्य फलान्येतानि सर्वशः । अद्म्यहं चैकमेतद्वै फलं विप्रार्पितं महत्

suhṛdo bhakṣayantvadya phalānyetāni sarvaśaḥ admyahaṁ caikametadvai phalaṁ viprārpitaṁ mahat

"Let my dear friends today eat all these fruits; and I myself shall eat this one large fruit, which has been offered by a brahmin."

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.2.10.58)

इत्युक्त्वा तत्फलं दत्त्वा सुहृद्भ्यश्चोत्तरासुतः । करे कृत्वा फलं पक्वं ददार नृपतिः स्वयम्

ityuktvā tatphalaṁ dattvā suhṛdbhyaścottarāsutaḥ kare kṛtvā phalaṁ pakvaṁ dadāra nṛpatiḥ svayam

Having spoken thus, and having given the other fruits to his friends, the king, son of Uttara, took that ripe fruit himself in his hand and split it open.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.2.10.59)

विदारितं फलं राज्ञा तत्र कृमिरभूदणुः । स कृष्णनयनस्ताम्रो दृष्टो भूपतिना स्वयम्

vidāritaṁ phalaṁ rājñā tatra kṛmirabhūdaṇuḥ sa kṛṣṇanayanastāmro dṛṣṭo bhūpatinā svayam

In that fruit, split open by the king, there appeared a tiny worm, dark-eyed and copper-coloured — the king himself saw it with his own eyes.

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.2.10.60)

तं दृष्ट्वा नृपतिः प्राह सचिवान्विस्मितानथ । अस्तमभ्येति सविता विषादद्य न मे भयम्

taṁ dṛṣṭvā nṛpatiḥ prāha sacivānvismitānatha astamabhyeti savitā viṣādadya na me bhayam

Seeing it, the king said to his astonished ministers, "The sun is now going to its setting; today, I fear no poison at all.

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.2.10.61)

अङ्गीकरोमि तं शापं कृमिको मां दशत्वयम् । एवमुक्त्वा स राजेन्द्रो ग्रीवायां संन्यवेशयत्

aṅgīkaromi taṁ śāpaṁ kṛmiko māṁ daśatvayam evamuktvā sa rājendro grīvāyāṁ saṁnyaveśayat

I accept that curse — let this very worm bite me." Having spoken thus, that excellent king placed it upon his own neck.

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.2.10.62)

अस्तं याते दिवानाथे धृतः कण्ठेऽथ कीटकः । तक्षकस्तु तदा जातः कालरूपी भयानकः

astaṁ yāte divānāthe dhṛtaḥ kaṇṭhe'tha kīṭakaḥ takṣakastu tadā jātaḥ kālarūpī bhayānakaḥ

As soon as the sun set, that tiny worm placed upon his neck at once became Takshaka, terrible in form, appearing as death itself.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.2.10.63)

राजा संवेष्टितस्तेन दष्टश्चापि महीपतिः । मन्त्रिणो विस्मयं प्राप्ता रुरुदुर्भृशदुःखिताः

rājā saṁveṣṭitastena daṣṭaścāpi mahīpatiḥ mantriṇo vismayaṁ prāptā rurudurbhṛśaduḥkhitāḥ

Coiling about him, he bit the king. The ministers, all struck with astonishment, wept in deep sorrow.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.2.10.64)

घोररूपमहिं वीक्ष्य दुद्रुवुस्ते भयार्दिताः । चुक्रुशू रक्षकाः सर्वे हाहाकारो महानभूत्

ghorarūpamahiṁ vīkṣya dudruvuste bhayārditāḥ cukruśū rakṣakāḥ sarve hāhākāro mahānabhūt

Seeing that serpent in his terrible form, they fled, overcome with fear; all the guards cried out, and a great wail of lamentation arose there.

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.2.10.65)

वेष्टितो भोगिभोगेन विनष्टबहुपौरुषः । नोवाच नृपतिः किञ्चिन्न चचालोत्तरासुतः

veṣṭito bhogibhogena vinaṣṭabahupauruṣaḥ novāca nṛpatiḥ kiñcinna cacālottarāsutaḥ

Coiled about by the king of serpents' body, all the king's strength was gone. The son of Uttara, the king, said nothing at all, nor could he even move.

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.2.10.66)

उत्थिताग्निशिखा घोरा विषजा तक्षकाननात् । प्रजज्वाल नृपं त्वाशु गतप्राणं चकार ह

utthitāgniśikhā ghorā viṣajā takṣakānanāt prajajvāla nṛpaṁ tvāśu gataprāṇaṁ cakāra ha

A terrible, poison-born flame arose from Takshaka's mouth and blazed forth, swiftly consuming the king and rendering him lifeless.

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.2.10.67)

हत्वाशु जीवितं राज्ञस्तक्षको गगने गतः । जगद्दग्धं तु कुर्वाणं ददृशुस्तं जना इह

hatvāśu jīvitaṁ rājñastakṣako gagane gataḥ jagaddagdhaṁ tu kurvāṇaṁ dadṛśustaṁ janā iha

Having swiftly destroyed the king's life, Takshaka rose up into the sky; and the people there beheld him as though he were setting the entire world ablaze.

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.2.10.68)

स पपात गतप्राणो राजा दग्ध इव द्रुमः । चुकुशुश्च जनाः सर्वे मृतं दृष्ट्वा नराधिपम्

sa papāta gataprāṇo rājā dagdha iva drumaḥ cukuśuśca janāḥ sarve mṛtaṁ dṛṣṭvā narādhipam

Lifeless, the king fell to the ground like a tree consumed by fire; and all the people, beholding their king dead, cried out in lamentation.