T for Takshaka, the Naga King - Mahabharata Mashup

Namaskar, 

We have read about Takshaka in Janamejaya’s SnakeSacrifice. He is the king of Nagas from the Patala (underground kingdom) and is a descendant of the Airavata family. 

Takshaka was first mentioned in Adi Parva when he stole earrings from Rishi Uttanka. This incident angered Uttanka, who later went to King Janamejaya’s court in Hastinapura and informed him of Takshaka’s role in the death of Parikshit (J’s father). 

Parikshit was a capable and loving ruler of Hastinapura. One day, however, during a hunt, he was tired and went to a rishi's ashram, where he insulted a rishi who was in maun-vrat (vow of silence) by placing a dead snake around his shoulders. Though the rishi forgave the king, his son Sringin cursed Parikshit that he would die in a week due to a snake bite. The old rishi sent his student to inform Parikshit about the curse. 

Parikshit then built a tower with no doors and windows and stayed in it. Many rishis, even from far-off places, arrived to treat him if the need arose. However, Takshaka found a way to hide in a basket of fruits carried by the rishis. When Parikshit grabbed a fruit, Takshaka rose from the basket and bit the king, ending his life as per the curse. 

This information made Janamejaya angry, which led to the snake sacrifice. Of course, we know that even that wasn’t successful, and Takshaka was saved in the last moment when Janamejaya agreed to grant Astika’s boon. 

If we see the events, we notice how determined Takshaka was to end Parikshit’s life. But why? 

Well, we could say the answer lies in the past. Takshaka and his family lived in the Kandava forest, the same one Agni wanted to consume as food. Arjuna and Krishna helped Agni devour the forest, which led to the death of Takshaska’s family (he wasn’t in the forest when the incident occurred). His wife saved their son, Asvasena, in the burning. 

However, Asvasena wanted revenge and waited many years. When Karna and Arjuna had a face-off on the 17th day of the Kurukshetra War, Asvasena became an arrow in Karna’s quiver. Krishna saw this and pressed the chariot wheels into the ground, thus causing the arrow (Asvasena) to strike Arjuna’s crown. Asvasena asked Karna to use his as an arrow again, but Karna refused, saying he didn’t need anyone's help to kill Arjuna. Asvasena attacked Arjuna directly but was killed by his arrows. 

We can assume that Takshaka held Arjuna responsible for everything. When Parkishit was cursed, he made sure it was he who fulfilled the curse and got his revenge by killing Arjuna’s grandson. It took Astika and Janamejaya to create a truce between the Kurus and Nagas.  

I’m participating in #BlogchatterA2Z.

The AI images are made on Bing.