A learned Brahmin, honored throughout the world for his knowledge of poisons, journeyed forth, his mind set on healing. With the blessing of his teacher, he possessed the rare skill to neutralize the deadliest venom. As he traveled, he encountered Takshaka, the mighty serpent king, who halted him with a warning: “I am Takshaka, O Brahmin. I will burn that king. Turn back, for you are not able to treat one bitten by me.” Undeterred, the Brahmin replied, “My resolve, strengthened by my knowledge, is to go to that king bitten by you and free him from fever.” Takshaka, both proud and curious, challenged him: “If you can treat what has been bitten by me, then revive this tree that I shall bite, O Kashyapa.” He gestured to a great banyan tree and continued, “Show your supreme mantra power. Watch as I bite this tree, O best of Brahmins.” Kashyapa agreed, saying, “If you think so, serpent king, bite the tree. I will revive it. Witness my mantra power today.” Thus challenged, Takshaka, the great-souled serpent king, approached the banyan and sank his venomous fangs into it. The tree, infused with potent poison, blazed all around, consumed by the fire of Takshaka’s venom. After the tree was reduced to ashes, Takshaka turned to Kashyapa and said, “Now, best of the twice-born, make the effort—revive this tree.” Kashyapa, undaunted, gathered the ashes and spoke: “See, O serpent king, the power of my knowledge today. I will restore this tree to life—witness this, O serpent.” With his profound wisdom, Kashyapa invoked his knowledge, and from the ashes, a sprout emerged, then two leaves, then a branch, a leafy bough, and soon the banyan stood tall again, its limbs spreading wide. Amazed by this wondrous feat, Takshaka exclaimed, “O Brahmin, this is truly wondrous in you!” Then he asked, “If you can neutralize my poison or that of one like me, for what purpose, O possessor of austerity, are you going to the king? Whatever fruit you desire from that best of kings, I myself will give it to you, even if it is difficult to attain. The king, overpowered by a Brahmin’s curse and with his life nearly spent, your success in striving may be doubtful. Then your blazing fame, renowned in the three worlds, would vanish like the sun’s rays at sunset.” Kashyapa replied, “I am going there for the sake of wealth; grant me that, O serpent. Then I will return, taking my due payment.” Takshaka promised, “Whatever amount of wealth you seek from that king, I will give you even more. Turn back, O best of the twice-born.” Hearing Takshaka’s words, Kashyapa, wise and discerning, thoughtfully considered the king’s fate. With his divine vision, he perceived that the king of the Pandavas had little life left. Recognizing the futility of his mission, Kashyapa accepted the wealth offered by Takshaka and turned back at once. Meanwhile, Takshaka sped to the city called Nagasahvaya. As he traveled, he learned that the king was being carefully protected by divine spells meant to neutralize poison. Takshaka pondered, “I must deceive him—what means can there be?” Assuming the form of an ascetic, he sent forth his serpent followers, instructing them, “Go forth, all of you, without hesitation, to the king, and diligently accomplish your task.” The serpents, disguised as ascetics, approached the king, bringing darbha grass, water, and fruits. The mighty king accepted all these offerings. Their mission accomplished, the disguised serpents were dismissed by the king, who then turned to his ministers and friends: “Let all of you eat these sweet fruits.” The fruits brought by the ascetics were distributed, and the king, bound by ritual and the words of the sage, prepared to eat. In the very fruit he selected, the serpent lay hidden. As he ate, a tiny worm appeared—short, with black eyes and copper-colored. The illustrious king, holding it, said to his ministers, “The sun is setting; today I have no fear of poison.” But the sage’s words echoed: “This worm will bite me; becoming Takshaka by name, thus it will be accomplished.” The ministers, compelled by the moment, watched as the king, desiring death and losing consciousness, laughed and placed the worm upon his neck. Even as he laughed, Takshaka emerged from the fruit, transformed into his true form, and wrapped the king in his coils. With a thunderous roar, Takshaka bit the ruler of the earth. Seeing their king thus encircled, his ministers were overcome with sorrow. Faces stricken with grief, they wept bitterly, mourning the fate that had befallen their beloved lord.