JANAMEJAYA PERFORMS ‘SARPAYAGA’

 

On learning that the great snake Takshaka was the cause of his father Parikshit’s death, Janamejaya got angry. He wanted to finish off all the snakes on the earth and started performing ‘sarpayaga’ in which several thousands of snakes were put into the sacred fire. At that time saint Angirasa came there and convinced Janamejaya that it would not be proper to annihilate the snakes thus as death due to snake bite or other reasons was not uncommon. Janamejaya heeded the advice of Angirasa and stopped the yagna. Gods blessed him by showering rain of flowers on him.