01.040
Library: Parikshit dies by Takshaka’s bite. Janamejaya is installed as king. Marries Vapushtama.
Sūta said:
Seeing him thus surrounded by enjoyment, all the ministers, pale-faced, cried out in great distress.
Upon hearing that sound, the ministers fled in fear. They saw a magnificent serpent moving through the sky.
Takshaka, the foremost of serpents, was creating a parting in the sky with his lotus-like radiance, deeply absorbed in sorrow.
Then, they fled in fear, abandoning all directions, as the house surrounded by fire and burning with the serpent's poison fell, struck as if by lightning.
Then, when the king was killed by the power of Takshaka, all the funeral rites were performed. The pure brahmin, who was the royal priest, and the ministers of the king, similarly conducted the rites.
The city dwellers gathered and declared his son, the child, as the king. They referred to him as Janamejaya, the heroic Kuru king and slayer of enemies.
The young and noble-minded king, the best among rulers, governed the kingdom with his ministers and priests, just as his heroic great-grandfather did.
Then, the ministers of the king, known as the enemy-tormentor, observed him and approached Suvarnavarman of Kaship to choose an excellent form.
Then the king, after righteously examining, gave the most beautiful one to the hero of the Kurus. He, having obtained her, was filled with joy and did not desire any other women.
In the lakes and blooming forests, with a clear mind, the powerful one enjoyed. Thus, he, the best of the royals, enjoyed like Purūravas did when he obtained Urvaśī in the past.
Then, the beautiful lady, having obtained the excellent husband, the king, Rama, was indeed pleased with him during their leisure times.
