Takshaka

Takshaka
Idol of Takshaka at Taxakeshwar temple
Devanagari	तक्षक
Sanskrit transliteration	Takṣaka
Affiliation	Nāga
Abode	Indraloka

Takshaka Takṣaka) was one of the Nagas mentioned in the Hindu epic Mahābhārata. He lived in a city named Takshasila, which was the new territory of Takshaka after his race was banished by Pandavas led by Arjuna from the Khandava Forest and Kurukshetra, where they built their new kingdom.

Takshaka is known in Chinese and Japanese mythology as being one of the "eight Great Dragon Kings" (八大龍王 Hachi Ryuu-ou), amongst Nanda (Nagaraja), Upananda, Sagara (Shakara), Vasuki, Balavan, Anavatapta and Utpala.

Takshaka is mentioned as a King of the Nagas at (1,3). Takshaka is mentioned as the friend of Indra the Deva king, at (1-225,227,230). Takshaka, formerly dwelt in Kurukshetra and the forest of Khandava (modern-day Delhi) (1,3). Takshaka and Aswasena, are constant companions who dwell in Kurukshetra on the banks of the Ikshumati (1,3). Srutasena, the younger brother of Takshaka, resided at the holy place called Mahadyumna with a view to obtaining the chiefship of the serpents (1,3).

According to Shrimad Bhagavatam, Takshaka belonged to the Ikshvaku dynasty. He was a descendent of Shri Rama. The name of Takshaka's son was Brihadbala, who was killed in battle by Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna.

In the forest of Khandava dwelleth, with his followers and family, the Naga, called Takshaka, who is the friend of Indra (1,225). Nagas lived there with other tribes like the Pisacha, Rakshasas and Daityas and Danavas (clans of Asuras ) (1,227). Arjuna burned that forest. At that time the Naga chief Takshaka was not there, having gone to Kurukshetra. But Aswasena, the mighty son of Takshaka, was there. Arjuna slew Takshaka's wife, the mother of Aswasena. But Aswasena escaped (1-229,230) (4,2). To revenge upon the slaughter of his mother, Aswasena attacked Arjuna during Kurukshetra War (8,90) (9,61), while he was battling with Karna. Aswasena is mentioned here as born in the race of Airavata (8,90). An Asura named Mayasura who was a great architect is mentioned as escaping from the abode of Takshaka when Khandava Forest was burned (1,230).