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Library: Giving money, Takshaka sends back Kashyapa who came to save the King. Through Maya, Takshaka disguises himself as a worn inside some fruit.
Takshaka spoke:
If you have the ability to treat anything here, then please revive this tree that I have bitten, Kashyapa.
O best of the twice-born, demonstrate your supreme mantra power and make an effort, for I shall set this banyan tree ablaze as you watch.
Kashyapa spoke:
You think of this tree as the ten serpent kings by Yama. I will bring this serpent, bitten by you, back to life.
Sūta said:
Thus addressed by the great soul Kashyapa, the king of serpents approached and bit the banyan tree.
The tree, bitten by him, was immediately engulfed in flames, shining brightly, as it was infused with the serpent's poison.
After burning the forest, the serpent spoke again to Kashyapa, urging him, "O revered sage, please try to bring this tree back to life."
The tree was reduced to ashes by the power of the serpent king. Kashyapa collected all the ashes and spoke.
O king of serpents, behold my power of knowledge in this tree. I shall revive this serpent as you watch.
Then the wise and revered sage Kashyapa, the best among the twice-born, used his knowledge to bring back to life a tree that had been reduced to ashes.
He created that sprout, which then had two leaves, and it grew with leaves, branches, and twigs again.
Upon seeing the tree brought to life by the great sage Kashyapa, Takshaka remarked, 'O Brahman, this is truly astonishing in you.'
O chief of the twice-born, what poison do you intend to destroy, mine or of one like me, or for what purpose are you going there, O sage?
I will grant you the desired reward from the best of kings, even though it is difficult to obtain.
O Brahmin, in the king who is overcome by a Brahmin's curse and whose lifespan is diminished, your success would be doubtful as he strives.
Then your fame, which is bright and well-known in the three worlds, should vanish from here like the rays of the sun.
Kashyapa spoke:
I am seeking wealth and I go there, O serpent, give me that. Then, O best of serpents, I will return home.
Takshaka spoke:
I will give you more wealth today than you desire from the king. Please return, O best of the twice-born.
Sūta said:
Upon hearing Takshaka's words, the wise Kashyapa, best among the twice-born, contemplated with great energy about the king.
Kashyapa, possessing divine knowledge and radiance, realized that the king was short-lived and then turned away from the son of Pandu.
The best of sages obtained the desired wealth from Takshaka.
After Kashyapa, the revered sage, had left, Takshaka swiftly proceeded to the city known as Nagasahvaya.
Then, as Takshaka was on his way, he heard that the king was being carefully protected by spells and antidotes against poison.
Then he thought, using his power of illusion, 'How can I deceive the king? What strategy should I employ?'
Then, disguised as a sage, he sent the serpents. Takshaka, the serpent, took fruit, leaves, and water and went to the king.
Takshaka spoke:
Go calmly and diligently to the king to offer him the traditional gifts of fruit, leaves, and water.
Sūta said:
The serpents, following Takshaka's orders, acted accordingly. They brought sacred grass, water, and fruits to the king.
The powerful king accepted all of that. After completing their tasks, he told them, "You may leave now."
After the serpents disguised as ascetics had left, the king spoke to his ministers and friends.
"Please, you all should eat these delicious fruits completely, which have been brought by the ascetics along with me."
Then the king, accompanied by his minister, wished to take the fruits. In the fruit taken by the king, there appeared a small worm, short in stature, with black eyes and copper-colored, O Śaunaka.
The king, having taken that, addressed his ministers, saying: 'The sun is setting; today I feel neither sorrow nor fear.'
The sage, who is a truth-speaker, should become a worm and bite me. By becoming known as Takshaka, it may indeed be avoided.
The ministers, realizing the time had come, followed him. After speaking thus, the king placed a worm on his neck and laughed quickly, as he was on the verge of death and unconscious.
Laughing, he was surrounded by the enjoyment of Takshaka. Therefore, having emerged from the fruit, he informed the king of what had happened.
