I have
devised a way, however, of inflicting punishment upon him. I like to know,
however, what ye saw or heard, what happened in the deep solitude of the
forest,--viz., the words of Takshaka and the speeches of Kasyapa. Having
known it, I shall devise the means of exterminating the snake race.'
"The ministers said, 'Hear, O monarch of him who told us before of the
meeting between that foremost Brahmana and that prince of snakes in the
woods. A certain person, O monarch, had climbed up that tree containing
some dry branches with the object of breaking them for sacrificial fuel.
He was not perceived either by the snake or by the Brahmana. And, O king,
that man was reduced to ashes along with the tree itself. And, O king of
kings, he was revived with the tree by the power of the Brahmana. That man,
a Brahmana's menial, having come to us, represented fully everything as it
happened between Takshaka and the Brahmana. Thus have we told thee, O king,
all that we have seen and heard. And having heard it, O tiger among kings,
ordain that which should follow.'
"Sauti continued, 'King Janamejaya, having listened to the words of his
ministers, was sorely afflicted with grief, and began to weep. And the
monarch began to squeeze his hands. And the lotus-eyed king began to
breathe a long and hot breath, shed tears, and shrieked aloud. And
possessed with grief and sorrow, and shedding copious tears, and touching
water according to the form, the monarch spake.
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