[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c4.1412 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.1412 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c4.1412 - **Language:** English ### [c4.1412](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.1412) 3) Āstika at the Sarpasatra. Once King Parīkṣit, the son of Abhimanyu was travelling through the forest for hunting animals. He picked up a dead snake with the tip of his bow and put it on the shoulder of a sage named "Śamīka". Śamīka's son, Śṛṅgī came to know of this. In his anger, Śṛṅgī pronounced a curse that King Parīkṣit should die within seven days by the bite of Takṣaka. When Parīkṣit heard of this, he had a palace built on a single pillar in the middle of the ocean, quite inaccessible to Takṣaka and took shelter there. The most famous physicians and wizards were engaged to ward off the approach of Takṣaka to that place. Six days passed like this. On the seventh day, determined to make a final attempt, Takṣaka disguised himself as an old Brāhmaṇa and set out to the King's place of shelter. On his way he met Dhanvantari who was proceeding to Parīkṣit to protect him. They became friends and as a result of it, Dhanvantari returned after receiving a large number of rare precious stones given to him by Takṣaka. Assuming the form of a small worm, Takṣaka secretly entered into a fruit which was to be presented to the King. As soon as the King took that fruit in his hand, Takṣaka took his own shape and size and bit the King who died immediately. Janamejaya was the son of this King Parīkṣit. - [Previous: c4.1411](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.1411) - [Next: c4.1413](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.1413) - [Up: c4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.1412](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.1412) · Pramāṇa