By Uttanka meets Janamejaya and asks him to arrange a Snake Sacrifice. It is in that Snake Sacrifice, the Maharishi Vyasa compiled Mahabharata is revealed to the human world.
SRIMAD MAHABHARATA – AADI PARVA – PAUSHYA (UPA) PARVA – PART 3(J) – UTTANKA MEETS JANAMEJAYA
“Soota continued, “Uttanka, having obtained his Upaadhyaaya’s (Veda’s) leave, moved by anger and resolved to avenge himself on Takshaka, proceeded towards Hastinapura. That excellent Brahmana (Uttanka) soon reached Hastinapura. Uttanka then waited upon King Janamejaya who had some time before returned victorious from Takshashila (possibly present-day Taxila in Rawalpindi district, Pakistan). Uttanka saw the victorious monarch (Janamejaya) surrounded on all sides by his ministers. He pronounced blessings on him in a proper form. Uttanka addressed the monarch at the proper moment in speech of correct accent and melodious sounds, saying, ‘O you the best of monarchs! How is it that you spend your time like a child when there is another matter that urgently demands your attention?’”
“Soota said, ‘The monarch Janamejaya, thus addressed, saluting that excellent Brahmana (Uttanka) replied to him, ‘In cherishing these my subjects, I do discharge the Kshatriya Dharma. Say, what is that business to be done by me and which has brought you here.’
“The foremost of Brahmanas and distinguished beyond all for good actions (Uttanka), thus addressed by the excellent monarch of large heart, replied to him, ‘O King (Janamejaya)! the work is your own that demands your attention; therefore do it, please. O you King of kings (Janamejaya)! Your father (Parikshit) was deprived of life by Takshaka; therefore, you do take revenge for your father’s death on that wicked snake (Takshaka). I think the time has come for the act of vengeance ordained by the Fate. Go then, take revenge for the death of your magnanimous father who, being bitten without cause by that wicked serpent, was reduced to five elements like a tree stricken by Vajra. The wicked Takshaka, wicked of the snake race, intoxicated with power committed an unnecessary act when he bit the King (Parikshit), that god-like father, the protector of the race of Rajarishis. Wicked in his activities, he (Takshaka) even caused Kashyapa to run back when he was coming for the relief of your father. It is your duty to burn the wicked wretch (Takshaka) in the blazing fire of a Sarpa Satra (Snake Sacrifice). O King (Janamejaya)! Give instant orders for the yagna. It is thus you can take revenge for the death of your father. A very great favour shall have also been shown to me. For by that poisonous wretch (Takshaka), O virtuous Prince (Janamejaya), my work also was, on one occasion, obstructed, while proceeding on account of my Guru.”
“Soota continued, ‘The monarch (Janamejaya), having heard these words, was enraged with Takshaka. By the speech of Uttanka was inflamed the prince (Janamejaya), as the yagna agni with clarified butter. Moved by grief also, in the presence of Uttanka, the prince asked his ministers the particulars of his father’s (Parikshit’s) journey to heaven (Swarga in Sanskrit). When he heard all about the circumstances of his father’s (Parikshit’s) death from the lips of Uttanka, he was overcome with pain and sorrow.
“Thus, ends the section called Paushya of the Aadi Parva of the blessed Mahabharata.”
