Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.1987

c8.1987

5) *Death of Parīkṣit.* Takṣaka went and inspected the palace of Parīkṣit. There was no way to step in and Takṣaka was astonished at the perfect protection given to the king. Takṣaka called all his relatives to his side and asked them to go to the King in the guise of brahmins carrying several kinds of fruits as presents. Takṣaka crept inside a beautiful fruit in the shape of a worm and was carried along with the fruits taken to the king. The servants of the king took the fruits brought by the brahmins to the king and the king struck by the size and beauty of a fruit among them took it and cut it open. He saw a worm inside red in colour with two black spots as eyes. The king took it in his hand and at that instant it changed into Takṣaka and bit the king. After that it rose up into the air and disappeared. (Chapters 42 to 49, Ādi Parva and 2nd Skandha, Devi Bhāgavata).