She was chosen by a king. She was never given a choice.

 At sixteen, Narriman Sadek was engaged to a Harvard scholar and planning her future. Then a king decided he wanted her. Her engagement was dissolved. Her body redesigned. Her life erased. And the world called it a fairy tale.

In 1950, Narriman was a teenage girl from an upper-class Egyptian family. Her father was Deputy Minister of Transportation. She had a normal life—friends, school, plans. She was engaged to Zaki Hashem, a brilliant economist doing his PhD at Harvard and working at the United Nations in New York. She was sixteen years old, with a future of her own choosing.

Then King Farouk noticed her. The story of how they met varies—some say in a jewelry shop, others say royal agents identified her as suitable. What’s certain is that Farouk, recently divorced and desperate for a new bride to produce a male heir, saw in Narriman the perfect candidate: young, Egyptian, from a good family, but not aristocracy. Someone he could mold.

Farouk intervened. Narriman’s engagement was dissolved. Not postponed. Not reconsidered. Ended. Whether she wanted it or not, whether she loved Hashem or not—it didn’t matter. A king had decided. From that moment on, her life ceased to belong to her.

She was removed from her family and sent to Rome, hidden at the Egyptian embassy under the guise of being the “ambassador’s niece.” What followed wasn’t preparation for marriage—it was a systematic dismantling of her identity.

Her body was the first target. Farouk ordered she return to Egypt weighing no more than 50 kilograms. She was put on a strict weight-loss program, monitored, measured, disciplined. Her health didn’t matter. Only her appearance. She was an object being prepared for display.

Her clothes were replaced with couture chosen by others. Jewels assigned. Hairstyles approved or rejected. Even the way she walked, stood, or smiled was deemed wrong. Countess Layla Martly was brought in to teach her “history, behavior, and etiquette”—translation: how to erase herself and become a perfect ornament beside a king.

Her education followed the same pattern. Tutors taught her languages and etiquette, not independence. Every lesson had one purpose: make her a suitable decoration. Privacy vanished. She was never alone, never unobserved. Every thought, every preference, every opinion was subordinated to one role—reflecting Farouk’s image back at him.

The cruelty was disguised as a fairy tale. The press celebrated her “transformation.” Crowds filled the streets. Workers marched in parades. The nation rejoiced at the romance. They admired the gowns and jewels while ignoring the reality: a teenage girl being systematically stripped of personhood.

On May 6, 1951, Narriman—seventeen years old—married King Farouk in a lavish ceremony at Abdeen Palace. She wore a gown embroidered with 20,000 diamonds. She looked perfect. That was all that mattered.

Behind the spectacle was isolation. Farouk was openly unfaithful, gambling and indulging while his teenage bride lived in a gilded cage. Her purpose was simple: produce a male heir and look immaculate while doing it.

On January 16, 1952, she gave birth to their son, Ahmad Fuad. The dynasty was secured. Narriman’s role became even narrower—no longer a person, but a vessel. Any slip was treated as her failure.

Then, barely fourteen months after she became queen, the monarchy collapsed. On July 23, 1952, the Egyptian Revolution began. Three days later, Farouk abdicated. That evening, the royal family sailed into exile. Narriman was eighteen years old. She had been queen for fourteen months.

In exile, Farouk continued his excesses. Narriman, exhausted and isolated, returned to Egypt with her mother. In February 1954, she divorced Farouk. She was twenty years old. She lost custody of her son. The same society that had celebrated her rise now blamed her for surviving.

She tried to rebuild. In May 1954, she married Dr. Adham al-Nakib, Farouk’s former physician, and had a son, Akram. But pressure from Egypt’s new regime destroyed the marriage. They divorced in 1961. In 1967, she married Dr. Ismail Fahmi, a general who gave her privacy and protection. She lived in seclusion in Cairo, refusing to write memoirs, giving only rare interviews.

In later years, she spoke quietly of the loneliness, the surveillance, the erasure. She was treated as ungrateful for speaking at all. Hadn’t she lived in a palace? Worn jewels? Been chosen by a king? That question ignored the price.

Narriman Sadek died on February 16, 2005, at age seventy-one, after a brain hemorrhage. She spent most of her life trying to reclaim a self that had been taken before she was old enough to protect it.

Her story reflects a pattern as old as power itself: young women reshaped into symbols, consumed by men’s ambition, then discarded when the illusion collapses. At sixteen, she had a life. At seventeen, she was married. At eighteen, she was discarded. And she spent the rest of her life trying to remember who she was before a king decided she belonged to him.

She deserved better. She deserved a choice. She deserved to marry the man she loved, build the life she wanted, become the person she was meant to be. Instead, she became a cautionary tale about what happens when power decides a girl is decorative enough to be reshaped.

How strong was King Shalya?

 King Salya: An Underrated Warrior

This image fits Salya’s description in the text, as one of the strongest men in the world, and compared to the moon in his beauty (unlike the scrawny balding guy they showed him as in the Star Plus Mahabharata.)

King Salya

• Class: Atirathi
• Weapon(s) - Bow and Arrow, Gada

Feats

Salya is another incredibly powerful warrior who gets underrated by Quorans. Too often do I see him get placed low when in reality he’s a high-tier warrior. He is NOT below warriors like Bhurishrava or Dhrishtadyumna.

King Salya defeated Satyaki

“The
king
of
Madra
angrily struck
Satyaki
with
nine
arrows
and
pierced
him
again
with
seventy
arrows
with
drooping
tufts.
O
venerable
one! He
struck
down
the
bow
in
his93
hand,
with
an
arrow
affixed
to
it
and,
in
the
battle,
dispatched
his
four
horses
to the
land
of
the
dead.
Satyaki
was
deprived
of
his
chariot
by
the
immensely
strong
king
of
Madra,
who
struck
him with
one
hundred
arrows
from
every
direction.
O
Kouravya!
He
then
pierced
Madri’s
angry
sons,
Pandava
Bhimasena
and
Yudhishthira
with
ten
arrows
each.
We
witnessed
the
king
of
Madra’s
extraordinary
manliness.
Even though
they
were
together,
the
Parthas
could
not
counter
him
in
the
battle.”

King Salya cut the bow of Satyaki

“He
pierced
Yudhishthira
with
ten
sharp
arrows.
Satyaki
was
angry that
Dharma’s
son
was
thus
afflicted
by
arrows.
He
enveloped
the
brave
lord
of
Madra
with
torrents
of
arrows.
In Bhimasena’s
presence,
he
then
used
a
kshurapra
arrow
to
slice
down
Satyaki’s
large
bow
and
struck
him
with
three arrows.”

King Salya tied Bhima in Gada-Yuddha

“The
club
of
the
king
of
Madra
struck
Bhima
on
the
left
and
the
right.
But
he
did not
waver,
like
a
mountain
that
has
been
struck.
Similarly,
the
immensely
strong
Bhima’s
club
struck
the
lord
of Madra.
But
he
bore
it
with
patience,
like
a
mountain
struck
by
the
vajra.
They
raised
their
giant
clubs
and
attacked each
other
with
great
force.
They
repeatedly
roamed
around,
executing
circular
motions.
They
approached
each other
by
eight
steps
and
suddenly
attacked
each
other
like
elephants
wishing
to
kill
each
other,
with
clubs
like
iron rods.
They
were
severely
wounded
from
the
force
of
each
other’s
clubs.
The
brave
ones
simultaneously
fell
down, like
shattered
poles
of
Indra.”

King Salya again fought equally with Bhima in Gada-Yuddha

“They
were
severely
struck
in
their
inner
organs
and
lost
their
senses.
Shalya,
bull
among
the Madras,
was
severely
struck
by
the
club
and
Kripa
used
his
chariot
to
swiftly
bear
him
away
from
the
field
of
battle.
Bhimasena
was
also
weakened
and
senseless.

King Salya overpowered Yudhishthira

‘“In the battle, the great archer, Yudhishthira, fought with the king of Madra. He was protected by a large army and oppressed him. In that encounter for the sake of Bhishma, the valiant king of Madra was enraged and afflicted the maharatha who was Dharma’s son

King Salya defeated Dhrishtadyumna, who was rescued by Abhimanyu

“Shalya
oppressed
Dhrishtadyumna
with nine
arrows.
He
was
enraged
and
oppressed
the
lord
of
Madra
with
iron
arrows.
We
then
witnessed
Parshata’s
extraordinary
valour,
as
he
swiftly
countered
Shalya,
the
adornment
of
assemblies.
As
they
engaged
in
battle,
no
gap could
be
seen
and
the
battle
between
the
two
seemed
to
last
only
for
an
instant.
O
great
king!
In
that
encounter, Shalya
sliced
down
Dhrishtadyumna’s
bow
with
a
broad-headed,
yellow
and
sharp
arrow.
O
descendant
of
the Bharata
lineage!
He
enveloped
him
with
a
shower
of
arrows
and
it
was
like
clouds
showering
down
rain
on
mountains
at
the
time
of
the
monsoon.
When
Dhrishtadyumna
was
thus
tormented,
Abhimanyu
became
angry.
With great
force,
he
dashed
towards
the
chariot
of
the
king
of
Madra.”

King Salya was toying with the Madreyas and while doing so defeated Nakula

Finding himself engaged in battle with his maternal uncle, Sahadeva repulsed him with a shower of arrows, like clouds shrouding the sun. Covered by that shower of arrows, he seemed to be happy.281 On account of their mother, the twins were also extremely delighted. O king! In that battle, smilingly, the maharatha282 used four supreme arrows to despatch Nakula’s four horses to Yama’s abode. With the horses slain, the maharatha283 quickly descended from his chariot and ascended onto his illustrious brother’s vehicle.

A chariotless, armorless Salya defeated Nakula with nothing but a sword and shield

“When
his
armour
was
severed
by
Bhimasena,
the
lord
of
Madra
picked up
a
shield
that
was
marked
with
the
signs
of
one
thousand
stars.
The
great-souled
one
jumped
down
from
his chariot.
Grasping
a
sword,
he
dashed
towards
Kunti’s
son.
Terrible
in
his
strength,
he
destroyed
Nakula’s
chariot and
advanced
towards
Yudhishthira.”

King Salya defeated Sahadeva

“When
the
horses
were
slain,
Pandu’s
descendant descended
from
his
chariot
and
fought
with
a
club
in
his
hand,
like
Yama
with
an
upraised
staff.
In
his
sight,
the king
of
Madra
slew
Sahadeva’s
horses”

King Salya killed Uttara Kumara and his elephant

Shalya countered it. However, that king of ele- phants was enraged. It placed its leg on the yoke of the chariot and killed the four large and well-trained horses. Though the horses were killed, the lord of Madra remained on his chariot. So as to kill Uttara, he hurled a lance that was like a serpent. His68 body and armour were pierced and he was submerged in great darkness.69 With the grip on goad and lance loosened, he fell down from the shoulder of the elephant. Shalya grasped a sword and descended from his supreme chariot. With great valour, he sliced off the great trunk of that king among elephants. With its inner parts pierced by showers of arrows and with its trunk severed, the elephant let out a terrible roar. It fell down on the ground and died.

King Salya defeated Virata

‘“Virata advanced against Drona, powerfully and swiftly. But the king of Madra shrouded the archer with a torrent of arrows. In the battle, both of them were firm archers and a duel commenced between them. O king! It was like that between Jambha163 and Vasava in ancient times. O great king! Virata was the leader of an army and the king of Madra quickly struck him with a hundred sharp arrows with straight tufts. The king164 pierced him back with nine sharp arrows. He then struck him again with seventy-three arrows and yet again with one hundred. The king of Madra slew the four horses that were yoked to his chariot. In that encounter, he brought down his charioteer and his standard from his chariot.

King Salya defeated Shankha, son of Virata

Then
Shalya
grasped
a
club
in his
hand
and
descended
from
his
great
chariot.
O
bull
among
the
Bharata
lineage!
He
killed
Shankha’s
four
horses. When
his
horses
were
slain,
Shankha
alighted
from
his
chariot
and
grasping
a
sword,
ran
towards
Bibhatsu’s72 chariot.
Climbing
onto
it,
he
found
peace
again.

Verdict

I think Salya’s feats speak for themselves. He has only ever been defeated by the following warriors

• Arjuna
• Abhimanyu
• Bhima
• Yudhishthira
• Nakula
• Sahadeva (It was a 1v2 where both Madreyas fought Shalya)

Of these warriors he has also defeated Nakula and Sahadeva, and tbh he was described as smiling during his loss to Nakula and his loss to Sahadeva, and the circumstances under which he beat Nakula and Sahadeva are much more impressive. He has also overpowered Yudhishthira at one point but Yudhishthira is positive against Shalya record-wise. He has also beaten powerful warriors like SATYAKI, and Dhrishtadyumna.

What was the big mistake of King Ravana?

 

1. The biggest mistake of Ravana is not obtaining Brahmastra from its presiding deity Brahma. He obtained the boon of invincibility to all the creatures from Brahma but did not possess the powerful weapon of the deity which cost him his life in the final battle against Lord Rama.
2. Indrajit was the only warrior of Lanka who knew the knowledge of Brahmastra. Inspite of being aware of this fact always, Ravana did not learn the knowledge of Brahmastra from his son Indrajit.
3. Ravana touched a princess named Vedavati against her will. On being molested by him, Vedavati entered the fire and promised to return as Sita in her next birth to bring about his destruction. Thus Ravana ordained the means of his own death by touching an innocent princess against her will.
4. Ravana desired to have intercourse with an apsara named Rambha against her will in a grove close to Indra loka. Rambha's husband Nalakubara cursed that Ravana's head would burst into one hundred fragments if he dared to touch a woman against her will in the future.
5. Ravana took his opponents too lightly and was thus defeated by warriors who were superior to him in strength, namely Vali and Kartavirya Arjuna.
6. Ravana insulted Lord Shiva's gatekeeper Nandi by mocking his physical appearance. Nandi imposed a curse that Ravana’s golden city of Lanka would be destroyed one day by malformed creatures. Thus Ravana ordained the destruction of Lanka due to his terrible mistake of mocking Nandi's physical appearance.
7. Ravana sent his general Prahasta on the very first day of the war against Lord Rama. Prahasta was killed on that day itself by Nila. It was a mistake of Ravana to send the general of his army to battle on the very first day. His army lost morale on seeing the general getting killed by Nila on the very first day.
8. Ravana did not send Indrajit and Kumbhakarna armed together in the battlefield. The two would have decimated Lord Rama’s army within a short period of time.
9. Ravana did not pay attention to his brother Kumbhakarna. He simply laughed off when Kumbhakarna told him that Lord Rama was the incarnation of primordal Lord Vishnu (sustainer of the universe).
10. Ravana was very well aware that Vibhishana would reveal the secrets of Lanka’s warriors to Lord Rama. He should have the discerned that Vibhishana would reveal the secret of Indrajit’s occult illusion to Lord Rama and Laxmana. He should have taken appropriate measures to prevent Vibhishana and Laxmana from reaching Nikumbhila sanctuary for the purpose of killing Indrajit in a battle.

Image courtesy: Google

Only place in India where Lord Ram is king since decades

 Sanskriti welcomes you all in 2nd episode of Bundeli Vaibhav today's attraction is Orchha : the only place in India where lord Ram is worshipped as a king 🙏. I have my exams in sept so there will be no long posts in August so I am just completing this episode today

[ Raja Ram ]

📍LOCATION : Orchha is a town , near Niwari city in the District Niwari of Madhya Pradesh ( MP ) just some km away from Jhansi and Gwalior

[ Historical incident how Lord Ram become king ! ]

Orchha Nagri was founded in 1531 ( 16th century AD ) by Bundela Chief , Rudra Pratap Singh [ first king of Orchha ] and also built the fort of Orchha .

This all incident revolves around Madhukar Shah Ju who was king of Orchha ( 1554 - 1591) and his wife Queen Ganesh kuwari , so Our king was ardent devotee of Shri Krishna whereas our queen was ardent devotee of Lord Rama ,

( Queen = Rani , King = Raja ) in Hindi

So once Rani came to Raja ju and said - “ we always go to me Braj Mathura can't we go this time to Ayodhya I want to meet Ram ji !! And the Raja denied and said - “ Rani you are coming in between me and my Shri Krishna if you love Rama this much so bring Rama to Orchha “ ——————— Raja wanted to go Braj - Mathura and Rani wanted to go Ayodhya but Rani decided to bring Lord Rama to Orchha as a proof of her bhakti !

Rani went to Ayodhya she wandered everywhere but couldn't find lord Rama at last tired queen started praying near Sarayu River she continued it it some years , months and decided to give her life by drowning in River Sarayu she tried two times but Maa sarayu denied as Rani was a pure devotee of lord Ram ,,,,,, 3rd time when Rani jumped into river she found One Lord Ram’s idol inside the river but Rani said - Prabhu I want you to come and talk to mee rather i want to die only !

[ Rani Ganeshan Kuwari and lord Rama in child form near Sarayu River ]

Then Lord Ram came in Baal swaroop ( in the form of a child ) and Rani asked Lord to take him to Orchha ,,, Lord agreed and said but there are my 3 conditions:-

1) To travel Orchha only in Puksha Nakshatra

2) wherever he will go he will be the only king there

3) the first place where she will seat him , will become his final place to stay !

These were 3 conditions Rani took 6 months to travel back to Orchha , Raja Madhukar was happy and he started constructing new temple for Lord Ram - Chatrabhuj Temple चत्रभुज मंदिर

• When Rani Ganesh kuwari reached Orchha Chatrabhuj temple wasn't ready yet so she respectfully seated lord Ram in Rasoi ghar of her Mahal ( kitchen of her palace ) for a women purest place is her kitchen , But at the time of inauguration as per condition everybody was unable to replace Lord Ram ‘s idol and thus palace ( Mahal became temple only )

[ Chatrabhuj Temple ( UNESCO site ) specially made for Lord Ram it took 20 years to be made but still Lord Ram can't be inaugurated here ! ]

[ Chatrabhuj Temple was made in a way that from every window , every door so that Raja Rani every day in morning first take darshan ( glimplse of Lord Rama ) and still you can see Chatrabhuj temple from even a small hole in fort ) ]

Now as per conditions Raja Madhukar Shah give his seat , whole administration and everything to Lord Ram and shifted to Tikamgarh because now New king of Orchha is Raja Ram 🙏 and he promised that his upcoming generation will be servant of Raja Ram and Palace is temple now !

[ Palace which is a temple now known as - Raja Ram temple 🚩 ]

[ Ayodhya ‘s Ram Lalla ‘s Idol and reincarnation of Maa Kaushalya]

There is an another saying that Before Babur Destroyed Ayodhya Ram temple priest get to know from somewhere that temple will be destroyed soon so he immersed Ram Lalla’s idol in Sarayu River which Rani found and brought to Orchha ! The whole story was already planned by Lord Rama and even this that Raja and Rani were reincarnation of Maa Kaushalya and Raja Dashrath it is said lord just wanted to get love of his parents once again ! I believe in this a lot ,,,,,, all orchhaiya believe in this idk about what Ayodhya vaasi think about this !

Now many of you will ask how can god be the king ???

So what is a king ,,,, ? A king is someone who is in hearts of his people ( his praja ) and king is someone whom his praja respects a lot and happy to have him as a king !!!!! So are people of Orchha happy to get lord Ram as a king ??? You all see this by yourself!!☺️

[ It is said that every paperwork in orchha is done by name of Raja Ram ]

Orchha is so cultural and have accepted raja Ram as their king with their all love

[ Raja Ram gets police guard of honour daily 2 times ]

[ People celebrate every festival with Raja Ram with whole enthusiasm this is night view of Raja Ram temple ! ]

It is said that every District Magistrate have to come and first bow down to Raja Ram !

• Every house in Orchha is coloured with the same as Raja Ram Temple , , People of Orchha have accepted Raja Ram as their king DM , CM , PM , police head no one is superior to Raja Ram for People of Orchha ,, ❤️

[ It is strictly prohibited to take pictures inside temple there is police 24/7 as he is king but i managed for u all RAJA RAM DARBAR : Raja Ram , Siya ju , Lord Lakshman and Lord Hanuman 🙏🚩]

~ Mughals can never capture Orchha because of its difficult geographical features present that time and this still is so cultural and i cant even tell 😭 it have my whole heart ❤️ i sometimes think that if Mughals and Britishers never came to India Raja Ram will be Maharaja adhiraja of Whole Bharatvarsh🛐

[ Average shop in Orchha : Orchha is so cultural]

VIVAH PANCHAMI : biggest festival of Orchha is marriage of Raja Ram and Siya ju ( in braj basha dialect ji = ju so people of Orchha also call ji as ju ) every wedding ritual is done , wedding cards are printed for their marriage, haldi ceremony is there whole Orchha took part in that , baraat is there ,,,, a whole 4–5 day festival ❤️ celebrated in oct - nov time whole orchha town took part in that

I have gone to Orchha like for many times but still i can't capture every beauty of Orchha in my eyes and heart and you all are literally thinking it will be possible to capture it in one post impossible 😭next episodes will be about vivah panchami , betwa river of Orchha , chhatri , forts , Laxmi Narayan temple and others maybe vivah panchami episode will come today only !!!

[ River betwa in Orchha ]

• People of Orchha have accepted Raja Ram as their everything, he was king of Orchha , he is king of Orchha and he will always be king of Orchha ❤️ please go to this Place once in your lifetime and remember here King is Raja Ram and he is checking on everyone ❤️

And in honour of Raja Ram people of Orchha always say - Raja Ram Sarkar ki jai ( Raja = king , Sarkar = government) stating that Raja Ram is king , Raja Ram is government, Raja Ram is god 🙏

What is the role of King Mahabhish in the Mahabharata?

 According to the epic, Mahabhish was born as king Shantanu, the father of Bhishma. Shantanu played an pivotal role in the epic as the father of Bhishma and then remarriage Satyavati, whose grandkids fought the battle of Mahabharat.

Curse of Brahma

Mahabhish was a king from Ikshvaku lineage. He performed austerities for years like Ashwamedh and Vajapeya sacrifices thereby attaining heaven.

However, one day in the court of Brahma, all the devas and Mahabhish were present. Ganga too entered the court, when due to wind, her upper garments got blown away.

While all others lowered their eyes, Mahabhisha continued to stare. This act of Mahabhish annoyed Brahma, who cursed him to be born on earth, to repent and regain his status again.

Vaishampayana said, ‘There was once a king named Mahabhisha. He was born in the Ikshvaku lineage and was a lord of the earth. He wasalways truthful and truly valorous. He pleased the lord of the gods through 1000 horse sacrifices and 100 vajapeya sacrifices and thus attained heaven.

‘One day, the gods went to pay homage to Brahma. Many rajarshis and King Mahabhisha were also present. Ganga, the best of the rivers, also came to pay homage to the grandfather. Her garments, as white as moonlight, were blown away by the wind and immediately the masses of gods lowered their faces. However, rajarshi Mahabhisha continued to stare unabashedly at the river. Because of this, Mahabhisha was cursed by the illustrious Brahma. “You will be born on earth and then you will again regain these worlds.” The king then thought about all the kings and ascetics on earth and chose the immensely radiant Pratipa as his father. On seeing King Mahabhisha lose his composure, the best of the rivers went away, thinking about him in her mind. Along her path, she saw the divine vasus. They were crestfallen and dark with despair at having been dislodged from heaven.

Chapter 91, Sambhava Parva, Section 07, Mahabharat

Mahabhish chose Pratipa, from the kuru lineage to be his father. And thus he was born as the son of Pratipa and named Shantanu.

Pratipa, bull among the Kshatriyas, performed austerities with his wife, so as to obtain a son. Though they were old, a son was born to them and this son was Mahabhisha. He was known as Shantanu, because he was born when his father had controlled his senses.

Chapter 92, Sambhava Parva, Section 07, Mahabharat

According to the epic, Mahabhish was born as Shantanu as per the curse of Brahma and thus took birth as the son of Pratipa.

ರಾಜ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತ

 ಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣನ ನಿರ್ಗಮನದ ನಂತರ ದ್ವಾಪರಯುಗದ ಅಂತ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಕಲಿಯುಗದ ಆರಂಭ (ದುಷ್ಟ ರಾಕ್ಷಸ ಕಲಿಯ ಯುಗ, ಇದನ್ನು ಕಲಿಪುರುಷ ಎಂದೂ ಕರೆಯುತ್ತಾರೆ). ಪಾಂಡವರು ತಮ್ಮ ದೇಹವನ್ನು ತ್ಯಜಿಸಿದಾಗ, ಅವರು ಹಸ್ತಿನಾಪುರದ ಸಿಂಹಾಸನವನ್ನು ಅರ್ಜುನನ ಮೊಮ್ಮಗ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನಿಗೆ ವಹಿಸಿದರು. ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು ಬುದ್ಧಿವಂತ ಮತ್ತು ನ್ಯಾಯಯುತ ರಾಜನಾಗಿದ್ದನು, ಅವನು ತನ್ನ ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಶಾಂತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಸದಾಚಾರವನ್ನು ಕಾಪಾಡಿಕೊಂಡನು.

ಕಲಿಯುಗವು ತಾಂತ್ರಿಕವಾಗಿ ಕೃಷ್ಣನ ಮರಣದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾದರೂ, ರಾಜ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನ ಆಳ್ವಿಕೆಯಿಂದಾಗಿ ಅದರ ಪೂರ್ಣ ಪ್ರಭಾವ ವಿಳಂಬವಾಯಿತು. ಕಲಿಯುಗವು ತನ್ನ ರಾಜ್ಯವನ್ನು ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸಿದೆ ಎಂದು ರಾಜನಿಗೆ ತಿಳಿಸಲಾಯಿತು. ನಂತರ ರಾಜ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು ಕಲಿಯುಗವನ್ನು ತನ್ನ ರಾಜ್ಯದಿಂದ ಹೊರತರಲು ದಂಡಯಾತ್ರೆಗೆ ಹೋಗಲು ನಿರ್ಧರಿಸಿದನು. ತನ್ನ ಸೈನ್ಯವನ್ನು ಕರೆದುಕೊಂಡು ರಾಜ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು ಅದೇ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ದಂಡಯಾತ್ರೆಗೆ ಹೋದನು. ಒಂದು ದಿನ, ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆಯು ಒಂದು ಗೊಂದಲದ ದೃಶ್ಯವನ್ನು ಕಂಡಿತು. ರಾಜನಂತೆ ಧರಿಸಿದ್ದ ಒಬ್ಬ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯು ಯಜಮಾನನಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂಬಂತೆ ಒಂದು ಗೂಳಿ ಮತ್ತು ಹಸುವನ್ನು ನಿರ್ದಯವಾಗಿ ಹೊಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದನು. ಆ ಗೂಳಿ ಒಂದು ಕಾಲಿನಿಂದ ನಡುಗುತ್ತಿತ್ತು ಮತ್ತು ಹೊಡೆತದಿಂದ ಬಳಲುತ್ತಿತ್ತು ಮತ್ತು ಭಯಭೀತವಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಹಾಲು, ತುಪ್ಪ ಇತ್ಯಾದಿಗಳನ್ನು ನೀಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಹಸು ಕೂಡ ದೀನ ಮನುಷ್ಯನ ಪಾದಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ಮತ್ತೆ ಮತ್ತೆ ಎಡವಿ ಬೀಳುವ ಮೂಲಕ ತುಂಬಾ ಭಯಭೀತವಾಗುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಪವಿತ್ರ ಹಸು ಹಸಿದಿತ್ತು ಮತ್ತು ಅವಳ ಕಣ್ಣುಗಳಿಂದ ಕಣ್ಣೀರು ಹರಿಯುತ್ತಿತ್ತು.

ಚಿತ್ರ: ರಾಜ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತ ಕಲಿ ರಾಕ್ಷಸನನ್ನು ಸೋಲಿಸಿದನು

ಚಿನ್ನದ ರಥದ ಮೇಲಿನ ಈ ಕ್ರೌರ್ಯದ ಕೃತ್ಯವನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದ ರಾಜ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು ಶ್ರೀಮಂತನಾಗಿ ಆ ಮನುಷ್ಯನನ್ನು ಎದುರಿಸಿದನು, ಅವನು ಕತ್ತಲೆಯ ಯುಗದ ಆತ್ಮವಾದ ಕಲಿ ಎಂದು ಬಹಿರಂಗಪಡಿಸಿದನು. ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು ಕಲಿಯನ್ನು ಕೊಲ್ಲಲು ಸಿದ್ಧನಾದನು, ಆದರೆ ಕಲಿಯು ನೀತಿವಂತ ರಾಜನಿಗೆ ತಾನು ಸರಿಸಾಟಿಯಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಅರಿತು ಶರಣಾಗಿ ತನ್ನ ಜೀವವನ್ನು ಬೇಡಿಕೊಂಡನು. ಕಲಿಯು ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಂಡದ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ತನ್ನ ಪಾತ್ರವು ದೈವಿಕ ಇಚ್ಛೆಯಿಂದ ಅನುಮೋದಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಿದೆ ಎಂದು ವಾದಿಸಿ ವಾಸಿಸಲು ಒಂದು ಸ್ಥಳವನ್ನು ಬೇಡಿಕೊಂಡನು. ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು "ದುರಾಶೆ, ಸುಳ್ಳು, ಕಳ್ಳತನ, ದುಷ್ಟತನ, ಧರ್ಮಭ್ರಷ್ಟತೆ, ಬಡತನ, ವಿಶ್ವಾಸಘಾತುಕತನ, ಕಲಹ, ದುರಹಂಕಾರ ಮತ್ತು ಇತರ ಪಾಪಗಳು ನಿನ್ನಿಂದ ಪ್ರಭಾವಿತವಾದ ರಾಜರ ದೇಹಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚುತ್ತಿವೆ. ನೀನು ಅಧರ್ಮದ ಒಡೆಯ, ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ನೀನು ನನ್ನ ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಇರಬಾರದು." ಈ ಆಜ್ಞೆಯನ್ನು ಕೇಳಿದ ನಂತರ ಕಲಿ ಆತಂಕಗೊಂಡಳು. ಕಲಿ ಹೇಳಿದಳು "ಓ ರಾಜ, ನಾನು ನಿನ್ನ ಆದೇಶಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ಬದುಕಲು ಯೋಚಿಸುವಲ್ಲೆಲ್ಲಾ, ನೀನು ಬಿಲ್ಲಿನ ಮೇಲೆ ಬಾಣಗಳನ್ನು ಹಿಡಿದು ನಿಂತಿರುವುದನ್ನು ನಾನು ನೋಡುತ್ತೇನೆ. ನಿನ್ನನ್ನು ಪಾಲಿಸುತ್ತಾ ನಾನು ಸ್ಥಿರವಾಗಿರಬಹುದಾದ ಸ್ಥಳವನ್ನು ನೀನು ನನಗೆ ಹೇಳು." ಇಷ್ಟವಿಲ್ಲದೆ, ರಾಜ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು ಕಲಿಗೆ ವಾಸಿಸಲು ನಾಲ್ಕು ಸ್ಥಳಗಳನ್ನು ನೀಡಿದನು - ಜೂಜು (ಬೆಟ್ಟಿಂಗ್), ಮದ್ಯಪಾನ (ತಂಬಾಕು ಸೇವನೆ), ಸ್ತ್ರೀ ಸಹವಾಸ (ವ್ಯಭಿಚಾರ), ವಂಚನೆ ಮತ್ತು ಅಪ್ರಾಮಾಣಿಕತೆ (ಹಿಂಸೆ) ಸ್ಥಳಗಳು. ಕಲಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳನ್ನು ಕೇಳಿದನು. ನಂತರ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು ಅವನಿಗೆ ಉಳಿಯಲು ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಸ್ಥಳವನ್ನು ಕೊಟ್ಟನು - ಚಿನ್ನ (ಸಂಪತ್ತು). ಈ ರೀತಿಯಾಗಿ, ಕಲಿಯುಗದ ಐದು ಸ್ಥಳಗಳಿವೆ, ದುರಾಸೆ, ಅಸತ್ಯ, ಮೋಹ, ಕ್ರೌರ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಸುಳ್ಳು. ಕಲಿಯುಗವು ತೃಪ್ತನಾಗಿ ರಾಜನಿಗೆ ಧನ್ಯವಾದ ಹೇಳಿ ಹೊರಟುಹೋಯಿತು.

ಕೆಲವು ದಿನಗಳ ನಂತರ, ರಾಜ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು ತನ್ನ ಕೋಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಲವಾರು ಬೆಲೆಬಾಳುವ ವಸ್ತುಗಳನ್ನು ಇರಿಸಿದ್ದ ವಿವಿಧ ಪೆಟ್ಟಿಗೆಗಳ ಸುತ್ತಲೂ ನೋಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದನು. ಅವನು ಒಂದು ಪೆಟ್ಟಿಗೆಯನ್ನು ತೆರೆದಾಗ ಪಾಪ ಮತ್ತು ಅಧರ್ಮದ ಜೀವಂತ ರೂಪವಾದ ಕ್ರೂರ ರಾಜ ಜರಾಸಂಧನಿಗೆ ಸೇರಿದ ಒಂದು ಹೊಳೆಯುವ ಚಿನ್ನದ ಕಿರೀಟವನ್ನು ಕಂಡುಕೊಂಡನು. ಈ ಸಂಗತಿಯನ್ನು ಅರಿಯದ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು ಕಿರೀಟದಿಂದ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ಆಶ್ಚರ್ಯಚಕಿತನಾಗಿ ಅದನ್ನು ತನ್ನ ತಲೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಧರಿಸಿದನು. ಹಲವಾರು ನಿರ್ಬಂಧಗಳ ಹೊರತಾಗಿಯೂ, ಕಲಿಯು ರಾಜ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನ ಚಿನ್ನದ ಕಿರೀಟದಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಸಿಸುವ ಮೂಲಕ ಪ್ರಭಾವ ಬೀರುವ ಮಾರ್ಗವನ್ನು ಕಂಡುಕೊಂಡನು. ತಕ್ಷಣವೇ, ಅದು ರಾಜನ ಮನಸ್ಸನ್ನು ಕುಶಲತೆಯಿಂದ ನಿಯಂತ್ರಿಸಲು ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸಿತು. ಈ ಪ್ರಭಾವವು ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನನ್ನು ಅಗೌರವದ ಕೃತ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಲು ಕಾರಣವಾಯಿತು.

ಚಿತ್ರ: ಕಲಿ ಯು ರಾಜ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನ ದೇಹವನ್ನು ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ

ಒಂದು ದಿನ, ರಾಜನಿಗೆ ಬೇಟೆಗೆ ಹೋಗುವ ಆಸೆ ಬಂತು. ಆದರೆ, ಅಲ್ಲಿಯವರೆಗೆ, ಅವನು ಬೇಟೆಯನ್ನು ದ್ವೇಷಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದನು ಮತ್ತು ಅದನ್ನು ಕ್ರೂರವೆಂದು ಪರಿಗಣಿಸಿದನು. ದಂಡಯಾತ್ರೆಯ ನಂತರ ದಣಿದ ಮತ್ತು ಬಾಯಾರಿಕೆಯಿಂದ, ಅವನು ಆಳವಾದ ಧ್ಯಾನದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಶಮಿಕ ಋಷಿಯ ಆಶ್ರಮವನ್ನು ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸಿದನು. ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತ ಋಷಿಯನ್ನು ನೀರಿಗಾಗಿ ಹಲವಾರು ಬಾರಿ ಕರೆದನು, ಆದರೆ ಋಷಿ ತನ್ನ ಧ್ಯಾನಸ್ಥಾನದಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಇದ್ದನು ಮತ್ತು ರಾಜನಿಗೆ ಯಾವುದೇ ಅರ್ಥವನ್ನು ನೀಡಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಕಲಿಯುಗದ ನೀತಿಶಾಸ್ತ್ರದಿಂದ ಪ್ರಚೋದಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟ ರಾಜನು, ಋಷಿಯು ತನ್ನನ್ನು ನಿರ್ಲಕ್ಷಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾನೆಂದು ಭಾವಿಸಿದನು, ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು ದೌರ್ಬಲ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಕೋಪದ ಕ್ಷಣದಲ್ಲಿ, ಅವಮಾನದ ರೂಪವಾಗಿ ಋಷಿಯ ಕುತ್ತಿಗೆಗೆ ಸತ್ತ ಹಾವನ್ನು ಹಾಕಿದನು. ಋಷಿಗಳ ಮಗ ಶೃಂಗಿಗೆ ಈ ಅವಮಾನದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ತಿಳಿದಾಗ, ಅವನು ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನಿಗೆ ಏಳು ದಿನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾವಿನ ಕಡಿತದಿಂದ ಸಾಯುವಂತೆ ಶಪಿಸಿದನು.

ಚಿತ್ರ: ಭ್ರಮೆಯಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ರಾಜ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು ಶಮಿಕ ಋಷಿಯ ಕುತ್ತಿಗೆಗೆ ಸತ್ತ ಹಾವನ್ನು ಹಾಕುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾನೆ.

ಕೊನೆಗೆ ಶಮಿಕ ಧ್ಯಾನದಿಂದ ಹೊರಬಂದಾಗ, ಅವನ ಕುತ್ತಿಗೆಯ ಸುತ್ತಲೂ ಸತ್ತ ಹಾವು ಇರುವುದನ್ನು ಗಮನಿಸಿ ದುಃಖಿತನಾದನು. ರಾಜನು ಒಬ್ಬ ಮಹಾನ್ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಧರ್ಮ (ಸದಾಚಾರ) ಅನುಯಾಯಿ ಎಂದು ಅವನಿಗೆ ತಿಳಿದಿತ್ತು, ಆದರೆ ಅವನು ರಾಕ್ಷಸ ಕಲಿಯ ಪ್ರಭಾವದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದನು. ತನ್ನ ಮಗ ಶೃಂಗಿಯು ರಾಜನ ಮೇಲೆ ಶಾಪವಿತ್ತನೆಂದು ತಿಳಿದ ನಂತರ, ಶಮಿಕನು ತೀವ್ರವಾಗಿ ತೊಂದರೆಗೀಡಾದನು. ಸತ್ಯಗಳ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಜ್ಞಾನವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ನೀತಿವಂತ ಆಡಳಿತಗಾರನನ್ನು ಶಪಿಸಿದ್ದಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಅವನು ತನ್ನ ಮಗನ ಮೇಲೆ ಕೋಪಗೊಂಡನು ಮತ್ತು ರಾಜ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನ ಅನುಪಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅಧರ್ಮದ ಅಸ್ತಿತ್ವದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಭಯಪಟ್ಟನು. ರಾಜನನ್ನು ಶಪಿಸುವುದು ಗಂಭೀರ ತಪ್ಪು ಎಂದು ಋಷಿ ಶಮಿಕನು ಶೃಂಗಿಗೆ ವಿವರಿಸಿದನು. ರಾಜ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು ನೀತಿವಂತ ಆಡಳಿತಗಾರನೆಂದು ಮತ್ತು ಅವನ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳು ಸ್ವಭಾವತಃವಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಅವನು ತನ್ನ ಮಗನಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದನು. ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿಯ ತೀವ್ರತೆಯನ್ನು ಅರ್ಥಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡ ಋಷಿ ಶಮಿಕನು ತನ್ನ ಮಗನಿಗೆ ರಾಜ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನ ಬಳಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಶಾಪದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ತಿಳಿಸಲು ಸೂಚಿಸಿದನು.

ಚಿತ್ರ: ಶಮಿಕ ಋಷಿಯು ತನ್ನ ಮಗ ಶೃಂಗಿ ನೀಡಿದ ಶಾಪದಿಂದ ಅವನ ಮೇಲೆ ಕೋಪಗೊಂಡಿದ್ದಾನೆ.

ರಾಜನು ಅಗತ್ಯ ಸಿದ್ಧತೆಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಗುವಂತೆ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನಿಗೆ ತನ್ನ ಸನ್ನಿಹಿತ ಸಾವಿನ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ತಿಳಿಸಬೇಕೆಂದು ಅವನು ಬಯಸಿದನು. ಆದರೆ ಶಾಪದ ನಂತರ ಅವನಿಗೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನದೇನೂ ಮಾಡಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲ. ತನ್ನ ತಂದೆಯ ಬುದ್ಧಿವಂತಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ಗೌರವಿಸಿದ ಶೃಂಗಿಯು ರಾಜ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನ ಆಸ್ಥಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಶಾಪದ ಸಂದೇಶವನ್ನು ತಿಳಿಸಿದನು. ತನ್ನ ಅಗೌರವದ ಕೃತ್ಯದಿಂದಾಗಿ, ಏಳು ದಿನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸರ್ಪರಾಜ ತಕ್ಷಕನ ಕಡಿತದಿಂದ ತಾನು ಸಾಯುವ ಶಾಪವನ್ನು ಪಡೆದಿದ್ದೇನೆ ಎಂದು ರಾಜನಿಗೆ ತಿಳಿಸಿದನು. ಶಾಪದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಕೇಳಿದ ರಾಜ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು ಕೋಪ ಅಥವಾ ಪ್ರತೀಕಾರದಿಂದ ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯಿಸಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಬದಲಾಗಿ, ತನ್ನ ಕ್ರಿಯೆಗಳ ಪರಿಣಾಮವಾಗಿ ಅವನು ಶಾಪವನ್ನು ಸ್ವೀಕರಿಸಿದನು.

ಋಷಿಗಳ ಮಗ ಯೌವನದ ಕೋಪದಿಂದ ವರ್ತಿಸಿದ್ದಾನೆ ಮತ್ತು ಶಾಪವು ದೈವಿಕ ಯೋಜನೆಯ ಭಾಗವಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಅವನು ಅರ್ಥಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡನು. ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು ತನ್ನ ವಿಧಿಯನ್ನು ಶಾಂತವಾಗಿ ಸ್ವೀಕರಿಸಿದನು. ತನ್ನ ವಿಧಿಯನ್ನು ಒಪ್ಪಿಕೊಂಡ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು ತನ್ನ ಸಾವಿಗೆ ಸಿದ್ಧನಾದನು. ಅವನು ತನ್ನ ಮಗ ಜನಮೇಜಯನನ್ನು ಹೊಸ ರಾಜನನ್ನಾಗಿ ಪಟ್ಟಾಭಿಷೇಕ ಮಾಡಿದನು ಮತ್ತು ಕಲಿಯ ಪ್ರಭಾವವನ್ನು ತಪ್ಪಿಸಲು ಚಿನ್ನದ ಕಿರೀಟವನ್ನು ಧರಿಸದೆ ರಾಜ ಪೇಟವನ್ನು ಧರಿಸುವಂತೆ ಸಲಹೆ ನೀಡಿದನು. ನಂತರ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು ತನ್ನ ರಾಜ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ತ್ಯಜಿಸಿದನು ಮತ್ತು ತನ್ನ ಉಳಿದ ದಿನಗಳನ್ನು ಗಂಗಾ ನದಿಯ ದಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಳೆದನು, ವ್ಯಾಸ ಋಷಿಯ ಮಗನಾದ ಶುಕ ಋಷಿ ನಿರೂಪಿಸಿದ ಪವಿತ್ರ ಗ್ರಂಥವಾದ ಶ್ರೀಮದ್ ಭಗವದ್ಗೀತೆಯನ್ನು ಕೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದನು. ಕಲಿಯ ಪ್ರಭಾವದಿಂದ ದುಷ್ಟತನದಲ್ಲಿ ತೊಡಗಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ಋಷಿ ಶೃಂಗಿಯ ಶಾಪವು ವೇಷದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಆಶೀರ್ವಾದ ಎಂದು ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು ತನ್ನೊಳಗೆ ಭಾವಿಸಿದನು. ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು ಕಥೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದಂತೆ, ಅವನ ಸಾವಿನ ಭಯ ದೂರವಾಯಿತು.

ಚಿತ್ರ: ಶುಕ ಋಷಿಯ ಮಾರ್ಗದರ್ಶನದಲ್ಲಿ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತ

ಏಳನೇ ದಿನ, ಭವಿಷ್ಯ ನುಡಿದಂತೆ, ಸರ್ಪರಾಜ ತಕ್ಷಕನು ಸ್ವತಃ ಒಂದು ಸಣ್ಣ ಹುಳದ ರೂಪವನ್ನು ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಒಂದು ಹಣ್ಣಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಳಿತನು. ಏಳನೇ ದಿನದ ಸೂರ್ಯಾಸ್ತವು ಸಂಭವಿಸಲಿದೆ, ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ರಾಜನು ನಿರಾಳವಾಗಿ ಹಣ್ಣನ್ನು ತಿನ್ನಲು ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸಿದನು, ನಂತರ ತಕ್ಷಕವು ಹಣ್ಣಿನಿಂದ ಹೊರಬಂದು ಹುಳದಿಂದ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಹಾವಾಗಿ ಮಾರ್ಪಟ್ಟು ರಾಜನನ್ನು ಕಚ್ಚಿತು. ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನನ್ನು ತಕ್ಷಕ ಕಚ್ಚಿ ಸ್ಥಳದಲ್ಲೇ ಸತ್ತನು. ಭಾಗವತ ಪುರಾಣವನ್ನು ಕೇಳುವ ಮೂಲಕ ಪರೀಕ್ಷಿತನು ಮೋಕ್ಷವನ್ನು ಪಡೆದನು. ಅವನ ಮರಣವು ಕಲಿಯುಗದ ದೃಢ ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆಯನ್ನು ಗುರುತಿಸಿತು, ಇದು ನೈತಿಕ ಮತ್ತು ಆಧ್ಯಾತ್ಮಿಕ ಮೌಲ್ಯಗಳ ಕುಸಿತದಿಂದ ನಿರೂಪಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟ ಯುಗವಾಗಿದೆ.

ಈ ಮಧ್ಯೆ, ಉತ್ತಂಕ ಎಂಬ ಋಷಿ ರಾಜ ಜನಮೇಜಯನ ಬಳಿಗೆ ಬಂದು, ತನ್ನ ತಂದೆಯ ಕೊಲೆಗಾರ ತಕ್ಷಕನ ಮೇಲೆ ಸೇಡು ತೀರಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಅವನನ್ನು ಪ್ರಚೋದಿಸಿ, ಸರ್ಪ ಯಜ್ಞ (ಸರ್ಪಗಳ ಬಲಿ) ಮಾಡಿ, ತಕ್ಷಕನನ್ನು ಅಗ್ನಿಕುಂಡಕ್ಕೆ ಇಳಿಸಿ, ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಸರ್ಪಗಳನ್ನು ಬಲಿಕೊಡುವಂತೆ ಆದೇಶಿಸಿದನು. ತನ್ನ ತಂದೆಯ ಮೋಸದ ಸಾವಿಗೆ ಸೇಡು ತೀರಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ನಿರ್ಧರಿಸಿದ ಜನಮೇಜಯನು ಸರ್ಪ ಸತ್ರ ಎಂದು ಕರೆಯಲ್ಪಡುವ ಬೃಹತ್ ಸರ್ಪ ಯಜ್ಞವನ್ನು ಮಾಡಲು ನಿರ್ಧರಿಸಿದನು. ಜಗತ್ತಿನಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಹಾವುಗಳನ್ನು, ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿ ತಕ್ಷಕವನ್ನು ನಿರ್ನಾಮ ಮಾಡಲು, ಜನಮೇಜಯನು ತನ್ನ ಕಾಲದ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ಪುರೋಹಿತರು ಮತ್ತು ಋಷಿಗಳನ್ನು ಕರೆಸಿ ಸರ್ಪ ಸತ್ರವನ್ನು ನಡೆಸಿದನು. ಇಡೀ ಸರ್ಪ ಜನಾಂಗವನ್ನು ನಾಶಮಾಡುವ ಗುರಿಯನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿರುವ ಆಚರಣೆಯು ಮಂತ್ರಗಳ ಶಕ್ತಿಯ ಮೂಲಕ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಹಾವುಗಳನ್ನು ಯಜ್ಞಕ್ಕೆ ಸೆಳೆಯಲು ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸಿತು. ಯಜ್ಞ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾಯಿತು, ಪ್ರಧಾನ ಅರ್ಚಕರು ಕಪ್ಪು ಬಟ್ಟೆಗಳನ್ನು ಧರಿಸಿ ಮಂತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ಪಠಿಸಿದರು, ಅವರು ಪವಿತ್ರ ಬೆಂಕಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅರ್ಪಣೆಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿದರು ಮತ್ತು ಇದು ಸರ್ಪಗಳ ಹೃದಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಉರಿಯುವ ಸಂವೇದನೆಯನ್ನು ಉಂಟುಮಾಡಿತು. ಯಜ್ಞವು ಹಲವಾರು ದಿನಗಳವರೆಗೆ ಮುಂದುವರೆದಂತೆ, ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಗಾತ್ರಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಆಕಾರಗಳ ಸಾವಿರಾರು ಸರ್ಪಗಳು ಬೆಂಕಿಯೊಳಗೆ ಸೆಳೆಯಲ್ಪಟ್ಟವು. ತಕ್ಷಕನು ತನ್ನ ಅಂತ್ಯವನ್ನು ಎದುರಿಸುವ ಕ್ಷಣಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಜನಮೇಜಯನು ಕಾತರದಿಂದ ಕಾಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದನು. ಆದಾಗ್ಯೂ, ತಕ್ಷಕನು ತನ್ನ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತ, ದೇವತೆಗಳ ರಾಜ ಇಂದ್ರನನ್ನು ಆಶ್ರಯಿಸುವ ಮೂಲಕ ಯಜ್ಞವನ್ನು ತಪ್ಪಿಸುವಲ್ಲಿ ಯಶಸ್ವಿಯಾದನು.

ಇಂದ್ರನು ತಕ್ಷಕನನ್ನು ತನ್ನ ದೈವಿಕ ಅರಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಆಶ್ರಯ ನೀಡುವ ಮೂಲಕ ರಕ್ಷಿಸಿದನು. ಮಂತ್ರಗಳು ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಹಾವುಗಳನ್ನು ಒಳಗೆ ಸೆಳೆಯುತ್ತಲೇ ಇದ್ದಾಗ, ತಕ್ಷಕ ಇನ್ನೂ ಕಾಣಿಸಿಕೊಂಡಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಋಷಿಗಳು ಗಮನಿಸಿದರು. ಪುರೋಹಿತರು ತಕ್ಷಕನನ್ನು ಇಂದ್ರನ ಅರಮನೆಯಿಂದ ಹೊರಗೆಳೆಯುವ ಗುರಿಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಇನ್ನೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಪ್ರಬಲವಾದ ಮಂತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ಪಠಿಸಿದರು. ಪರಿಣಾಮವಾಗಿ, ತಕ್ಷಕನೊಂದಿಗೆ ಇಂದ್ರನು ಯಜ್ಞದ ಬೆಂಕಿಯ ಕಡೆಗೆ ಎಳೆಯಲ್ಪಡಲು ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸಿದನು. ತಕ್ಷಕನನ್ನು ರಕ್ಷಿಸಲು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಇಂದ್ರನು ಅವನೊಂದಿಗೆ ಕಾಣಿಸಿಕೊಂಡನು ಆದರೆ ಯಜ್ಞ ಮುಂದುವರಿದಾಗ ಅವನನ್ನು ಬಿಡಬೇಕಾಯಿತು. ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಕೈಮೀರುತ್ತಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಅರಿತುಕೊಂಡ ದೇವರುಗಳು ಮಧ್ಯಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸಿದರು.

ಚಿತ್ರ: ಸರ್ಪ ಸತ್ರ (ಸರ್ಪ ಬಲಿ)

ಸರ್ಪ ದೇವತೆ ಮಾನಸ ಮತ್ತು ಋಷಿ ಜರತ್ಕಾರು ದಂಪತಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಜನಿಸಿದ ಯುವ ಋಷಿಯಾದ ಆಸ್ತಿಕನು ಸರ್ಪ ಸೂತ್ರವನ್ನು ಕೊನೆಗೊಳಿಸಲು ಉದ್ದೇಶಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಿದ್ದನು. ಆಸ್ತಿಕನು ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾರಂಗತನಾಗಿದ್ದನು ಮತ್ತು ಬುದ್ಧಿವಂತ ಮತ್ತು ವಾಗ್ಮಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದನು. ಆಸ್ತಿಕನು ಸರ್ಪ ಜನಾಂಗವನ್ನು ಉಳಿಸಲು ಯಜ್ಞವನ್ನು ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಲು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸಿದನು. ಆಸ್ತಿಕನು ಜನಮೇಜಯನನ್ನು ಸಂಪರ್ಕಿಸಿ ಅವನ ಶಕ್ತಿ, ಬುದ್ಧಿವಂತಿಕೆ ಮತ್ತು ತನ್ನ ತಂದೆಯ ಮೇಲಿನ ಸಮರ್ಪಣೆಗಾಗಿ ಅವನನ್ನು ಹೊಗಳಿದನು. ಯುವ ಋಷಿಯ ಮಾತುಗಳಿಂದ ಸಂತೋಷಗೊಂಡ ಜನಮೇಜಯನು ಆಸ್ತಿಕನಿಗೆ ಬಹುಮಾನವನ್ನು ನೀಡಿದನು.

ಸರ್ಪಸೌರ್ಯವನ್ನು ತಕ್ಷಣವೇ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಬೇಕೆಂದು ಮತ್ತು ಇನ್ನು ಮುಂದೆ ಹಾವುಗಳನ್ನು ಬಲಿ ನೀಡಬಾರದು ಎಂದು ಅವನು ವಿನಂತಿಸಿದನು. ತನ್ನ ಸೇಡು ತೀರಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ತುಂಬಾ ಹತ್ತಿರದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಜನಮೇಜಯ ಇಷ್ಟವಿಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೂ, ವರವನ್ನು ಪೂರೈಸಲು ಅವನು ತನ್ನ ಮಾತಿನಂತೆ ಬದ್ಧನಾಗಿದ್ದನು. ಅವನು ಯಜ್ಞವನ್ನು ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿದನು, ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ತಕ್ಷಕ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಉಳಿದ ಸರ್ಪಗಳನ್ನು ಉಳಿಸಿದನು. ಯಜ್ಞವು ಆಸ್ತೀಕನ ಆಸೆ ಈಡೇರುವುದರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಕೊನೆಗೊಂಡಿತು, ಇದು ಧರ್ಮದ ಶಕ್ತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಕ್ರಿಯೆಗಳ ಪರಿಣಾಮಗಳನ್ನು ಪ್ರದರ್ಶಿಸಿತು. ಯಜ್ಞದಲ್ಲಿ ಸತ್ತ ಸರ್ಪಗಳು ಮೋಕ್ಷವನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತವೆ ಎಂದು ಆಸ್ತೀಕನು ಆಶೀರ್ವದಿಸಿದನು. ಯಜ್ಞವನ್ನು ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿದ ನಂತರ, ವೈಶಂಪಾಯನನು ಜನಮೇಜಯನಿಗೆ ಮಹಾಭಾರತದ ಮಹಾಕಾವ್ಯವನ್ನು ಹೇಳಲು ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸಿದನು, ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಆಸ್ತೀಕ ಮತ್ತು ಇತರ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣರು ಸಹ ಸ್ಥಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಸೇರಿದ್ದರು.

ಕಥೆಯಲ್ಲಿನ ನೀತಿಗಳು:

1. ಪೋಷಕರು ತಮ್ಮ ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆ ಈ ಕಥೆಯನ್ನು ಓದಿ ಹೇಳಿ ಅವರ ಕೋಪವನ್ನು ನಿಯಂತ್ರಿಸಬಹುದು.
2. ಜೂಜಾಟ, ಮದ್ಯ, ವೇಶ್ಯಾವಾಟಿಕೆ, ಕಸಾಯಿಖಾನೆಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಚಿನ್ನ - ನೈತಿಕ ಅವನತಿಯ ಸಂಕೇತಗಳು.