Pariksit’s Birth (and Eventual Departure)

Chapter 12

Suta Goswami next addressed the third question of the sages, regarding the birth and activities of Maharaja Pariksit. He thus continued his narration from Chapter 8, where Maharaja Pariksit’s life had been saved by Krishna.

When Asvatthama released the brahmastra weapon, Krishna personally protected Maharaja Pariksit, who was in the womb of his mother, Uttara. After his birth, the brahmanas predicted that he would become an exalted devotee of the Lord, comparing his rulership and qualities to great kings like Maharaja Iksvaku and Lord Rama.

Those brahmanas also predicted his death; after being cursed to die in seven days, he would sever all material attachments, offer himself in full surrender to the Lord and hear Srimad-Bhagavatam from Sukadeva Goswami. After being bitten by the snake-bird, Maharaja Pariksit would eventually attain the Absolute abode and return back to Godhead. Thus, Maharaja Pariksit grew up in the royal family, Maharaja Yuddhistira performed multiple sacrifices and Krishna left for Dwaraka [].