Takshaka the serpent

Mahabharata Adiparva Astikaparva Section 40-43

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah

Rishi Samika, advices his son sringin to forgive King Parikshit and take back his curse. Sringin fails to forgive the King, so, Samika tells his son , those who forgive reach an abode which even surpasses Brahma. Out of compassion, Sage Samika sends a messenger alerting King of the impending danger.

King is deeply saddened by the insult he has done to the sage, and was not so much worried about his death. He constructed a tall one pillared building inaccessible to snakes, protected by mantras, he started living there.

On the seventh day, a brahmana named Kasyapa was coming to save King. He was stopped enroute in a jungle by a Serpent Takshaka. Takshaka challenges the Brahmin Kasyapa to save a banyan tree bitten by him and bites a banyan tree. The banyan tree blazes in fire and becomes ashes. kasyapa says "behold the power of knowledge" and he first produces a seed, then two leaves, then entire tree. Upon which takshaka pleads with kasyapa not to save the king to return. Takshaka promises riches to kasyapa. Kasyapa sits in meditation and realises that the time is up for King Parikshit. He takes the money offered by Takshaka and returns to his place.

Takshaka sends few snakes disguised as brahmanas with fruits. King accepts those fruits and while eating those fruits, an insect came out of it. That tiny insect has black eyes and coppery in color. King playfully puts it on his neck and having his time come says , let this insect be takshaka and bite me. The insect is actually Takshaka, the serpent. It coils around the Kings neck and bites him to death.

Probable meaning and morals of this story :

forgiveness is the highest virtue.

Takshaka represents vile thoughts, it can burn down the dharma (banyan tree). Kasyapa represents wisdom and knowledge. through the power of knowledge, the entire Dharma can be re-established.