By “Takshaka said, ‘If, indeed, you are able to cure any creature bitten by me, then, O Kaashyapa, you revive this tree bit by me. O best of Dwijas (Kaashyapa), I burn this banyan (tree) in your sight. Try your best and show me that skill in mantras of which you have spoken.’
“Kaashyapa said, ‘If you are so minded, you bite then this tree, O lord of snakes (Takshaka). O snake, I shall revive it, though bit by you.’
“Soota continued, ‘That lord of snakes (Takshaka), thus addressed by the illustrious Kaashyapa, bit then that banyan tree. That tree, bit by the snake, and penetrated by the poison of the snake, blazed up all around. Having burnt the banyan so, the snake then spoke again to Kaashyapa, saying, ‘O first of Dwijas, try your best and revive this lord of the forest (Banyan tree).’
“Soota continued, ‘The (banyan) tree was reduced to ashes by the poison of that king of snakes. But taking up those ashes, Kaashyapa spoke these words, ‘O lord of snakes (Takshaka), see the power of my knowledge as applied to this lord of the forest! Under your observation, I shall revive it.’
“Then that best of Dwijas, the respected and learned Kaashyapa, revived, by his vidya (Knowledge in English), that (banyan) tree which had been reduced to a heap of ashes. First, he created the sprout, then he furnished it with two leaves, then he made the stem, then the branches, and then the full-grown tree with leaves. Takshaka, seeing the tree revived by Kaashyapa, said to him, ‘It is not wonderful in you that you should destroy my poison or that of any one else like myself. O you whose wealth is Tapas (Kaashyapa), desirous of what wealth, do you go there? The reward you hope to have from that best of monarchs, I will give you, however difficult it may be to obtain it. Decked with fame as you are, your success may be doubtful on that king (Parikshit) affected by a Brahmana’s curse and whose span of life itself has been shortened. In that case, this blazing fame of yours that has overspread the three worlds will disappear like the Sun when deprived of his splendour (on the occasion of the eclipse).’
“Kaashyapa said, ‘I go there for wealth, give it to me, O snake (Takshaka), so that taking your gold, I may return.’
“Takshaka replied, ‘O best of Dwijas (Kaashyapa), I will give you more than what you expect from that king (Parikshit). Therefore, do not go.’
“Soota continued, ‘That best of Dwijas, Kaashyapa, of great skills and intelligence, hearing those words of Takshaka, sat in yoga meditation over the king. That foremost of Munis (Kaashyapa) of great skills and gifted with spiritual knowledge (Divya Gnana in Sanskrit), confirming that the period of life of that king of the Paandava race (Parikshit) had really run out, returned, receiving from Takshaka as much wealth as he desired.
“Upon the Mahatma Kaashyapa’s going back on his steps, Takshaka at the proper time speedily entered the city (Hastinaapura). On his way he heard that the king (Parikshit) was living very cautiously, protected by means of poison-neutralising mantras and medicines.’
“Soota continued, ‘The snake (Takshaka) immediately thought thus, ‘The monarch (Parikshit) must be deceived by me with power of illusion (Maaya Yoga in Sanskrit). But what must be the means?’
“Then Takshaka sent to the king some snakes in the guise of Tapaswis taking with them fruits, kusha grass (Kusha grass also known as Darbha grass and botanically called as Desmostachya bipinnata), and water. Takshaka, addressing them, said, ‘You all go to the king (Parikshit), on the pretext of pressing work, without any sign of impatience, as if to make the monarch only accept the fruits and flowers and water (that you shall carry as gift to him).’
“Soota continued, ‘Those snakes, thus commanded by Takshaka, acted accordingly. They took to the king (Parikshit), Darbha grass and water, and fruits. That foremost of kings, of great skills, accepted those offerings. After their work was finished, he (Parikshit) said upto them, ‘Retire.’ Then after those Naagaas disguised as Tapaswis had gone away, the king (Parikshit) addressed his ministers and friends, saying, ‘You eat with me, all these fruits of excellent taste brought by the Tapaswis.’ Driven by Fate and the words of the Rishi (Sringee), the king (Parikshit), with his ministers, felt the desire of eating those fruits.
“The particular fruit, within which Takshaka had entered, was taken by the king (Parikshit) himself for eating. When he was eating it, there appeared, O (Rishi) Shaunaka, an ugly insect out of it, of shape scarcely visible, of eyes black, and of coppery colour. That foremost of kings, taking that insect, addressed his councillors, saying, ‘The sun is setting; today I have no more fear from poison. Therefore, let this insect become Takshaka and bite me, so that my sinful act may be punished and the words of the Rishi (Sringee) rendered true.’
“Those councillors also, driven by Fate, approved of that speech. Then the monarch (Parikshit) smiled, losing his senses, his hour having come. He quickly placed that insect on his neck. As the king was smiling, Takshaka, who had (in the form of that insect) come out of the fruit that had been offered to the king, coiled himself round the neck of the monarch. Quickly coiling round the king’s neck and uttering a tremendous roar, Takshaka, that lord of snakes, bit that protector of the earth.’”
SRIMAD MAHABHARATA – AADI PARVA – AASTIKA (UPA) PARVA – CHAPTER 43 – TAKSHAKA KILLS PARIKSHIT
