Parikshit – Son of Abhimanyu

परिक्षित्

Parikshit was the son of Uttara and Abhimanyu and the grandson of Arjuna, one of the Pandava princes and heroes of the Mahabharata. Born into the Kuru dynasty, Parikshit succeeded the Pandavas to the throne of Hastinapura after the great Kurukshetra War. His lineage connects him to some of the most revered and valorous figures in Hindu mythology, including his grandfather Arjuna and his great-grandfather Krishna.

Character	Relation to Parikshit	Description
Abhimanyu	Father	Known for his bravery, died in the Chakravyuha formation during the Mahabharata war
Uttara	Mother	Daughter of King Virata, who ruled Matsya; her life was miraculously saved during pregnancy
Arjuna	Grandfather	One of the five Pandavas, a skilled archer and disciple of Krishna
Krishna	Great-grandfather (maternal side)	Avatar of Vishnu and divine guide of the Pandavas

The Miraculous Birth of Parikshit

Parikshit’s birth was nothing short of miraculous. During the Kurukshetra War, his father Abhimanyu displayed immense courage, fighting valiantly within the Chakravyuha, a complex battle formation, but ultimately lost his life there. Parikshit’s mother, Uttara, was pregnant with him when Ashwatthama, son of Drona, unleashed a powerful weapon, the Brahmastra, to destroy the Pandava lineage. The deadly weapon targeted Uttara’s womb, intending to eliminate the unborn Parikshit and end the Kuru dynasty.

However, Lord Krishna, who was a friend and mentor to the Pandavas, intervened to protect the unborn child. In a miraculous display of divine power, Krishna entered Uttara’s womb and shielded the fetus from the Brahmastra, ensuring Parikshit’s survival. This incident not only underscores Krishna’s role as a protector of dharma but also highlights Parikshit’s destiny as the future king of the Kuru dynasty, born with divine blessings.

Event	Description	Significance
Attack of the Brahmastra	Ashwatthama targets Uttara’s womb	Threatened to end the Kuru lineage
Divine Intervention	Krishna shields Parikshit in the womb	Demonstrates Krishna’s protective role and Parikshit’s destiny
Miraculous Birth	Parikshit survives a powerful divine weapon	Marks him as a divinely protected and destined ruler

Parikshit’s Ascension to the Throne and Succession to the Pandavas

Following the end of the Kurukshetra War and the ascension of Yudhishthira to the throne, the Pandavas ruled Hastinapura. Eventually, however, the Pandavas decided to renounce worldly life and undertook the Mahaprasthanika (the Great Journey) to the Himalayas in search of spiritual liberation. As they departed from the world, they entrusted the throne to Parikshit, making him the successor of the Pandava legacy.

Parikshit’s reign symbolized the continuation of the Pandavas’ dharma and ideals. His rule was marked by justice, compassion, and adherence to dharma, reflecting the values instilled in him by his lineage. Under Parikshit’s leadership, the kingdom of Hastinapura continued to flourish, maintaining the legacy of righteousness and prosperity that the Pandavas had established.

Event	Description	Significance
Mahaprasthanika of Pandavas	Pandavas leave for the Himalayas	Marks the end of the Pandava era
Parikshit’s Coronation	Parikshit ascends the throne of Hastinapura	Ensures the continuity of the Pandava legacy
Rule of Dharma	Parikshit governs with justice and compassion	Reflects the values of his ancestors, preserving their ideals

Parikshit’s Encounter with Kali and the Curse of Sage Shringi

During his reign, Parikshit had a significant encounter with Kali, the personification of the Kali Yuga, the age of darkness and discord that follows the Dvapara Yuga. Parikshit encountered Kali attempting to enter his kingdom in the form of a cow (symbolizing dharma) and a bull (symbolizing righteousness), both being harassed. Parikshit initially resisted Kali’s entry but ultimately allowed him a place in his kingdom on the condition that he would reside in certain places associated with vice and immorality—such as gambling, intoxication, and violence. This marked the beginning of the influence of Kali Yuga.

Shortly thereafter, Parikshit committed a significant error. While on a hunting expedition, he entered the hermitage of Sage Samika and, in a moment of frustration and thirst, placed a dead snake around the meditating sage’s neck. Samika’s son, Shringi, upon learning of this disrespectful act, cursed Parikshit to die within seven days from the bite of Takshaka, the king of serpents. This curse set into motion the events leading to Parikshit’s death and the end of his reign.

Event	Description	Significance
Encounter with Kali	Parikshit allows Kali to reside in specific places	Symbolizes the transition to Kali Yuga and its influence
Disrespect to Sage Samika	Parikshit places a dead snake on Samika’s neck	Demonstrates a lapse in Parikshit’s judgment
Curse of Shringi	Cursed to die from snakebite in seven days	Reflects the consequences of disrespecting a sage and fate’s inevitability

Parikshit’s Last Days and the Narration of the Bhagavata Purana

Upon receiving the curse, Parikshit accepted his fate with calmness and resolve. Understanding that his death was imminent, he decided to spend his last days in spiritual pursuits and sought liberation. Parikshit renounced his kingdom and wealth, choosing instead to listen to the Bhagavata Purana, which was narrated by the sage Shuka, the son of Vyasa.

The Bhagavata Purana contains stories of Lord Vishnu’s avatars, including Krishna, and teachings on devotion, dharma, and the nature of the universe. Through this narration, Parikshit attained enlightenment and liberation, achieving a state of divine consciousness before his death. His final act of surrender and devotion to Krishna serves as an example of the ultimate path to moksha, reinforcing the significance of devotion and spiritual knowledge.

Event	Description	Significance
Acceptance of Curse	Parikshit renounces his kingdom	Shows his understanding of karma and fate
Listening to Bhagavata Purana	Parikshit hears Shuka’s narration	Gains spiritual wisdom and liberation through devotion
Attainment of Moksha	Parikshit attains divine consciousness	Exemplifies the transformative power of devotion and surrender

Parikshit’s Legacy and the Continuation of the Kuru Dynasty

After Parikshit’s death, his son Janamejaya ascended the throne of Hastinapura. Parikshit’s life and actions, including his acceptance of the curse and his devotion to Krishna, left a profound legacy that influenced his descendants. Janamejaya, in response to his father’s death by snakebite, conducted the Sarpasatra or Snake Sacrifice to exterminate all serpents, including Takshaka, as an act of revenge. However, the ritual was ultimately halted by Astika, a wise sage who persuaded Janamejaya to stop the sacrifice and spare the serpent race, emphasizing the importance of compassion over vengeance.

Parikshit’s legacy as a king who upheld dharma and faced his fate with dignity served as an enduring example for his successors. His life story is celebrated in Hindu mythology as a testament to the virtues of humility, devotion, and acceptance of divine will. Through Parikshit, the Pandava legacy continued to impact the kingdom of Hastinapura and the spiritual teachings of Hinduism.

Character	Relation to Parikshit	Notable Action
Janamejaya	Son	Conducted the Snake Sacrifice to avenge Parikshit’s death
Takshaka	Serpent king, cause of Parikshit’s death	Targeted in Janamejaya’s sacrifice
Astika	Sage who stopped the Snake Sacrifice	Symbolized compassion and wisdom

Through his birth, rule, and acceptance of fate, Parikshit embodies the ideals of courage, humility, and devotion. His story, enriched by the protection of Krishna, the curse of Shringi, and the wisdom of the Bhagavata Purana, represents the cycle of dharma, karma, and spiritual growth that defines the Kuru dynasty’s enduring legacy in Hindu mythology.