01
Origins and family
He inherited the throne after Takshaka's bite killed his father.
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Character Chronicle
Mahabharata · Kuru king and listener of the Mahabharata
Janamejaya
Son of Parikshit whose serpent sacrifice became the setting for the narration of the epic.
MahabharataSnake sacrificeListening
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Biography
The story of Janamejaya
Janamejaya is son of Parikshit whose serpent sacrifice became the setting for the narration of the epic. Son of Parikshit.
He inherited the throne after Takshaka's bite killed his father.
Seeking revenge, he began a vast serpent sacrifice intended to annihilate the naga race.
The sage Astika persuaded him to stop, interrupting the cycle of vengeance.
At his court, Vaishampayana narrated the story of his ancestors, framing the Mahabharata as remembered history.
Life journey
Four defining chapters
02
Rise and relationships
Seeking revenge, he began a vast serpent sacrifice intended to annihilate the naga race.
03
Defining crisis
The sage Astika persuaded him to stop, interrupting the cycle of vengeance.
04
Final phase and legacy
At his court, Vaishampayana narrated the story of his ancestors, framing the Mahabharata as remembered history.
Listening to the past can stop inherited revenge from becoming total destruction.
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