Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/119

Rh "Kasyapa said, 'I go there for wealth; give it unto me, O snake, so that taking thy gold, I may return Takshaka answered, 'O best of regenerate ones, even I will give thee more than what thou expectest from that king. Therefore, cease to go.'"

Sauti continued, -"That best of Brahmanas, Kasyapa, of great prowess and intelligence, hearing those words of Takshaka, sat in yoga meditation over the king. And that foremost of Munis, viz., Kasyapa, of great prowess and gifted with spiritual knowledge, ascertaining that the period of life of that king of the Pandava race had really run out, returned, receiving from Takshaka as much wealth as he desired."

"And upon the illustrious Kasyapa retracing his steps. Takshaka at the proper time speedily entered the city of Hastinapura. And on his way he beard that the king was living very carefully, protected by means of poison-neutralising mantras and medicines."

Sauti continued,-"The snake thereupon reflected, saying-The monarch must be deceived by me with power of illusion. But what must be the means?' Then Takshaka sent to the king some snakes in the guise of ascetics taking with them fruits, kusa grass, and water (as presents). And Takshaka, addressing them, said, 'Go ye all to the king, alleging urgent business, without any sign of impatience, as it to make the monarch only accept the fruits and flowers and water (that ye shall carry as presents unto him)!".

Sauti continued, "Those snakes, thus commanded by Takshaka, acted accordingly. And they took to the king Kusa grass and water, and fruits. And that foremost of kings, of great prowess, accepted those offering, And after their business was finished, he said unto them, Retire.' Then after those snakes disguised as ascetics had gone away, the king addressed his ministers and friends, saying, 'Eat ye, with me, all these fruits of excellent taste brought by the ascetics l' Impelled by Fate and the words of the Rishi, the king, with his ministers, felt the desire of eating those truits. The particular fruit, within which Takshaka had entered, was taken by the king himself for eating. And when he was eating it. there appeared, O Saunaka, an ugly insect out of it, of shape scarcely discernible, of eyes black, and of coppery colout. And that foremost of kings, taking that insect, addressed his councillors, saying,-'The sun is setting : to-day I have no more fear from poison. Therefore, let this insect become Takshaka and bite me, so that my sinful act may be expiated and the words of the ascetic rendered true l' And those councillors also, impelled by Fate, approved of that speech. And then monarch smiled, losing his senses, his hour having come. And be quickty placed that insect on his neck. And as the King was smiling, Takshaka, who had (in the form of that insect) come out of the fruit that had been

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