In the Mahabharata, the serpent king who bites King Parikshit is Takshaka.
Takshaka is a powerful naga, or serpent being, who appears in the Mahabharata and related Hindu traditions. King Parikshit is cursed to die from a snakebite after insulting the sage Shamika. The curse is carried out when Takshaka reaches the king despite protective measures intended to prevent the fatal bite.
The episode leads to a later royal attempt to destroy the snakes. Parikshit’s son, Janamejaya, performs the Sarpa Satra, or snake sacrifice, seeking revenge for his father’s death. The sage Astika intervenes and persuades Janamejaya to stop the ritual, allowing the serpent race to survive.
Takshaka is sometimes confused with Vasuki or Shesha, two other famous serpent figures. Vasuki is linked with the churning of the ocean, while Shesha is associated with Vishnu. Takshaka’s distinctive role is his connection to Parikshit’s death and Janamejaya’s snake sacrifice.