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Library: Enquired by Janamejaya, Parikshit’s life story narrated again!
Śaunaka spoke:
King Janamejaya asked his ministers to narrate in detail about his father's journey to heaven.
Sūta said:
Listen, O Brahman, to how the ministers of the king, when asked, all recounted the death of King Parikshit.
Janamejaya spoke:
You are aware of how my father, who was greatly renowned, passed away in due course of time.
Having heard from you about my father's conduct in full, I will adhere to what is auspicious and never to what is contrary.
Sūta said:
The wise ministers, well-versed in all dharma, then spoke to King Janamejaya, as asked by the great soul.
Your father, who was a righteous and great soul and protector of the people, was here as it happened; listen to that story of the great soul.
He established the four-caste system and ensured everyone performed their own duties, protecting them according to dharma. The king, a knower of dharma, acted as if he were the embodiment of dharma itself.
The prosperous and valorous one protected the earth goddess. He had no enemies, nor did he hate anyone. He was impartial to all beings, like the lord of all creatures.
Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras are indeed well-situated in their respective duties, with a good mindset, O King, as performed by the king.
Sudarsha, who was like another Soma, supported the protector of widows, the helpless, and the distressed, and was a source of comfort for all beings.
He was a prosperous and truthful king, firm in valor, who became a disciple of Śāradvata in the art of archery.
Your father Janamejaya was dear to Govinda. He was also beloved by the entire world and was of great fame.
When the Kurus were weakened, Parikshit was born in Uttarā. He became the strong son of Subhadra.
The king, proficient in the duties of royalty and wealth, endowed with all virtues, who has mastery over his senses, is self-possessed, wise, and respected by the elders.
Your father, who was wise and knowledgeable in ethics and duty, ruled these subjects for sixty years.
Then the example set by the snake was not surpassed.
Then, O best of men, you righteously obtained this kingdom of the Kuru dynasty for a thousand years. Even as a child, you are born to be the protector of all beings.
Janamejaya spoke:
In this lineage, there has never been a king who was not both a benefactor and beloved by his people, particularly when reflecting on the noble conduct of the forefathers who were devoted to righteousness.
How did my father meet his end in such a manner? Please tell me the truth, I wish to hear it as it truly happened.
Sūta said:
Thus, prompted by the king, the ministers, who were devoted to the king's welfare and happiness, narrated everything to the lord of men as it had occurred.
Your father, O king, was always fond of hunting, just like the fortunate Pandu, who was the best archer in battle. He entrusted all the royal duties to us completely.
Once, a forest-dweller shot a deer with an arrow and quickly pursued it into the thick forest.
Your father, the foot-soldier equipped with a bound sword and weapon-bundle, did not find the lost deer in the dense forest.
A tired and aged man, sixty years old and afflicted with old age, hungry, saw a sage nearby in the great forest.
The king of kings asked the silent sage, but the sage did not respond to him, even though he was being questioned.
Then the king, troubled by hunger, saw the sage standing silently like a pillar, calm and composed, and was immediately overcome by anger.
The king could not comprehend the sage who was observing a vow of silence. In his anger, your father insulted the sage.
The dead snake was lifted from the ground with the end of a bow and placed on the shoulder of the pure-hearted one, O noble Bharata.
The wise man did not speak to him, whether it was good or bad. He simply stood there, holding the snake on his shoulder, feeling angry.
