Sarpasatram 2- Parikshith

After the Great War of Kurukshetra The eldest of Pandavas Dharmaputra As the emperor of Bharata he took over With no one to question his reign. Parikshith born to princess Uttara And Abhimanyu, nephew of Yudhishtira Abhimanyu was just boy of sixteen Killed in the war, in a battle unfair. Parikshith grew up to be a great archer Under the tutelage of good teachers Anointed king emperor by Pandavas Who then proceeded on Vanaprastha. Mrugaya, hunting in the wild Was a kingly vice in he indulged. Once, lost in the forest, entered The hermitage of sage Sameeka. Deep in his penance, Sameeka Did not pay him respect. Irated The king picked up a dead snake And put it around the sage's neck. Sage's son Shringi when returned From travel, saw him in this state Knowing what happened, cursed The king that he'd die of venomous bite By Takshaka, the king of snakes Before sun set on the seventh day. Takshaka was immediately roused For he had an old score to settle. Long back, when the forest Khandava Selected as the site to build the capital Of their new kingdom by the Pandavas No choice, but to burn the forest et al Takshaka's wife and children small Lived in the cool shades of trees tall Were not spared but burned to death By Arjuna, grandfather of Parikshith. When Parikshith heard of the curse He could fear nothing worse For he knew of Takshaka's vendetta Against the entire Pandava Vamsam. Fearing Takshaka, fearing death, Shifted with his doctors best To his palace in the waters midst Under guard all day and night It was the end of the day seventh Sun was setting at the horizon west The king was at his joyous best Though overcome by hunger and thirst. A little worm popped its head out From the fruit the servant cut For him to eat, he placed it on his neck Laughed, 'Takshaka, bite me if you must! ' It was the snake-king without doubt In a split second took his own shape The king, his smile vanished Ere Takshaka hit, of fear he died.