After some time the son of the sage returned from his errand, and was shocked to see the dead snake around his father's neck. Exasperated, the son sent the deadly curse, "Whosoever has done this ghastly act that person will be killed within seven days by the poisonous bite of Serpent Takshaka Nag." He uttered these words thrice and completed his vow by reciting a mantra to invite the deadly serpent to do his duty. The truthful and agitated son's words were sure to be true!

After some time the sage came out from his trance and found his son extremely upset on certain matter. "What is troubling you my son", inquired the father. The son narrated the whole episode of his father's samadhi and finding the dead snake around his neck. He also told his father how he had sent the deadly curse to end the life the miscreant. The senior sage was extremely saddened at the hasty and immature behavior of his son, but could do nothing then.

The beginning of Dark Age (Kali Yuga)

Here on returning to his palace as soon as King Parikshita removed his crown, as soon as he was freed from the deluding influence of Kali, he regretted the act of putting the dead snake around sage's neck. He was contemplating to go to the ashram to beg pardon for his misadventure when the news reached the palace of the curse sent on the person involved in the misdeed. The king knew now that he had only seven days to live!

The king realized the power of Kali and his clever ploy. The king was not so much afraid of the death but was more concerned about the very short time he had to undertake any measure as an appropriate penance. The scripture had ordained every noble soul to seek liberation from the snares of worldliness before death, but the king had no time. Who would impart him that Ultimate Knowledge of God in such a short period of seven days!

Thus dejected the king called his advisers to his chamber. Many suggestions and advice were given, but of no avail. The tired king went to the sage and falling at his feet begged, "O, noble sage, I have committed a great mistake, but no mistake is big enough that no solution can be found to rectify it. I beg of you to tell me about the path of liberation now that I have only seven days to live."

The Bhagavatam
(The Discourses that leads to Liberation)

The compassionate sage was touched to the heart; he pacified the king and said, "O noble king, great harm is done to you by the hasty behavior of my immature son. But as you rightly said, there is a solution for your predicament. If you sincerely listen the nectar-like words and stories of Bhagavatam your life will be fulfilled."

However, for this the king must renounce his luxury of the palace, and as a sadhaka should approach the sage Shukadeva with due humility and yearning. The king therefore, decided to follow the path of renunciation and devotion for his final liberation.

The sage Shukadeva was a Paramhamsa, a realized soul, with tremendous spiritual power and devotion to God. With his companions he was camping on the banks of Holy Ganges when the king reached there. Prostrating before the sage, king Parikshita, now a spiritual aspirant saluted the sage with a humble request to enlighten him about highest Truth, about God, and about Atman and Paramatman. He told the sage he had only seven days to get this knowledge. "Be graceful, O kind-hearted soul and lead me from darkness to light."

The all-compassionate Shukadeva was moved with the intensity and sincerity of cry of the king, which came from the depth of the heart. Assuring the king the sage said, "O king, do not grieve and do not fear. For in this Dark Age of Kali I have found a simple and sure method to reach the God. Leading simple life, serving the needy and in distress, renouncing all worldly desires and getting immersed in the repetition of Lord's Name one can cross the ocean of worldliness -the samsara-sagara- and reach the blissful abode in the Heaven-Vaikuntha. Even if one just listens to the stories of the Lord his grief is conquered and the person starts experiencing bliss.

Thus all arrangements were made; the stage was decorated for Shukadeva to take his seat and deliver his daily discourses. From morning to noon and from afternoon to evening, in two sessions, the stories of God's incarnation and Lila were recited with great devotion. Gradually the dirt of worldliness and ignorance was wiped out and the king Parikshita tasted the nectar of pure joy. He was soon freed from all worldly anxieties and troubles. His mind became purer and on the seventh day he was already 'Free'. The serpent Takshaka reached the king in a disguised form of a worm in a fruit and bit the king on the seventh day. But it was too late! The king had already reached the abode of Lord at Vaikuntha! 

Namaste'

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