Takshaka - Revenge On Pandavas

Revenge On Pandavas

Takshaka avenged the wrongs of the Pandavas committed upon his race, by approaching in disguise (1,50) and poisoning the food of king Parikshit, the grandson of Arjuna and thus slaying him. He also prevented the possibility of getting any medical aid to the king, by bribing a priest in the Kasyapa clan, who was an expert in curing people from snake-poisoning (1,43). Later King Janamejaya, the son of Parikshit, fought a war at Takshasila (1,3) and expelled the Nagas headed by Takshaka from there too. Takshaka later became a robber, waiting to loot anything valuable from the travellers traversing through his domain. The Kingdom of Paushya king and the new stronghold of Takshaka was close to Takshasila. Utanka became the victim of Takshaka, while he was passing through the domain of Takshaka. By visiting Janamejaya, Utanka invoked the ire of that Kuru king directed at its full force, towards Takshaka and the Naga race. Janamejaya started a campaign, at Takshasila where he massacered the Nagas, with the view of exterminating the Naga race (1,52). Takshaka left his territory and escaped to the Deva territory where he sought protection from Deva king Indra (1,53). But Janamejaya's men traced him and brought him as a prisoner, to execute him along with the other Naga chiefs (1,56). At that time, a learned sage named Astika, a boy in age, came and interfered. His mother Manasa was a Naga and father was a Brahmin. Janamejaya had to listen to the words of the learned Astika and set Takshaka free. He also stopped the massacre of the Nagas and ended all the enmity with them (1,56). From then onwards the Nagas and Kurus lived in peace. Janamejaya became a peace-loving king.