The Death of Emperor Pareekshit

Emperor Pareekshit of Hastinapura had gone hunting one day. While chasing a deer, he came across Sage Shamika, who was seated with closed eyes, immersed in deep meditation. The Emperor stood observing the sage for some time before addressing him:

"O Sage, a deer passed this way a while ago. Did you see it?"

The Sage remained silent, absorbed in his meditation. Frustrated by the lack of response, Pareekshit repeated his question, but the sage continued to ignore him. The Emperor's gaze then fell upon a dead snake lying nearby. Irritated by the sage’s indifference, he picked up the snake and draped it around the sage’s neck as a mark of disrespect.

At that moment, Sage Shringi, the son of Sage Shamika, was away from the ashram. However, through his divine vision, he witnessed Emperor Pareekshit’s act. Angered by the insult to his father, Shringi cursed the Emperor:

"Arrogant king, you will die of a snake bite within seven days!"

When Emperor Pareekshit learned of Sage Shringi's curse, he was overcome with regret, yet he knew there was no way to escape his fate. Six days passed without incident. On the seventh day, Takshaka, the king of serpents, took the form of a tiny worm and hid inside a fruit. When the Emperor ate the fruit, the worm entered his body, swiftly transforming into a serpent and killing him within seconds. A sage's curse, it is said, never fails.