The wise sage Shamika spoke gently to his son, saying, “My child, if we were not protected by kings who uphold dharma, we would not be able to practice righteousness freely. It is because of the king’s protection that we can perform great acts of virtue, and rightly, the king receives a share of the merit from our deeds. Therefore, forgiveness must always be shown to a king who acts according to dharma—especially to King Parikshit, who, like his great-grandfather, is our protector. Just as a king must guard his subjects, so must he shield them, O illustrious one. “In a land without a king, faults and disorder always arise; people become unruly, but the king restrains them through just punishment. When there is fear of punishment, peace prevails, and people pursue righteousness and right action without anxiety. The king establishes righteousness, and from righteousness, heaven is established; all the king’s sacrificial rites are thus upheld, and from sacrifice, the gods are sustained. From the gods comes rain, from rain arise plants, and from plants, the constant welfare of humanity is maintained. “The king, as the sustainer of his people and the upholder of sovereignty, is said by Manu to be equal to ten learned Brahmins. Therefore, my son, when I came here hungry, weary, and seeking game, I acted unknowingly, and I believe my actions were in accordance with my vow. Why, out of childishness, have you rashly committed this wrongful act? O son, a king never deserves a curse from us. “Whether your deed was rash, wrongful, or your words pleasing or not, let them not be false. This will not happen otherwise, I tell you for your father’s sake; I do not speak falsely, not even among my own, so how could I utter a curse? I know your formidable power and your truthfulness, my son; you have never spoken untruth, and this too will not be false. “A son, even when grown, must always be guided by his father so that he may be endowed with virtues and attain great fame. How much more so when you are still a child, devoted to austerity; for in the powerful, anger grows exceedingly. These worlds would perish, and there would be no remedy, even for a moment. Therefore, I consider carefully what I should say to you, O best of the righteous, keeping in mind your sonship, your youth, and this rashness. “Therefore, be devoted to tranquility, subsist on forest fare, and act after abandoning this anger; thus you will not abandon righteousness. For anger destroys the righteousness that ascetics gather with great effort, and those devoid of righteousness never attain their desired goal. Indeed, tranquility alone brings success to ascetics and the forgiving; this world belongs to the forgiving, and so does the next. Therefore, always practice forgiveness and self-control; by forgiveness, you will attain worlds neighboring that of Brahma. “But I, having taken refuge in tranquility, will do today whatever is possible; I will send word to the king, my son. You have cursed the king, though you are but a child of immature understanding. Witnessing this insult from you, O king, I could not bear it.” Thus, after instructing his disciple, the virtuous sage, moved by compassion for King Parikshit, sent him forth. He gave clear directions to inquire about the king’s welfare and to report the matter at hand, sending his composed and virtuous disciple named Gauramukha. Gauramukha, swift in his duty, approached the king who enhanced the glory of the Kuru line. After being announced by the doorkeepers, he entered the royal palace. The king honored the twice-born Gauramukha, who, though weary, recounted everything fully to the king and his ministers. In their presence, Gauramukha relayed the dreadful words spoken by Shamika: “O king, there is a sage named Shamika in your realm. He is of supreme righteousness, self-restrained, peaceful, and of great austerity. O tiger among men, you deprived a serpent of life while the sage was silent and absorbed in meditation. The snake, struck by the tip of your bow, hung on his shoulder as he maintained silence. Shamika forgave your deed, but his son could not bear it. “Therefore, O king, you have been cursed by the boy, unknown to his father: ‘Takshaka will be your death in seven nights.’ Shamika repeatedly said, ‘Take precautions,’ for otherwise, this cannot be averted by anyone. He cannot restrain his son, filled with anger; therefore, I was sent by him, who desires your welfare, O king.” Hearing these dreadful words, King Parikshit, descendant of the Kurus, was tormented, for he had committed a grievous act, though he was a man of great austerity. Upon learning of the sage’s vow of silence in the forest, the king’s mind became even more afflicted with sorrow. Perceiving Shamika’s compassionate nature, he was further tormented for having committed an offense against such a sage. Indeed, the king grieved less for the news of his impending death than for having committed such a deed against the sage, though he was like an immortal. Then, the king sent Gauramukha again, saying, “May the venerable one grant me his favor here.” Hearing the king’s words, the sage Gauramukha, having received permission, swiftly returned to his teacher’s hermitage. As soon as Gauramukha had departed, the king, his mind troubled, began to consult with his ministers. After careful deliberation, the wise king, understanding the essence of counsel, ordered the construction of a well-guarded palace with a single pillar, seeking to protect himself from the curse that had befallen him.