When Parikshit's son reached the age of eleven, the family priest began his formal education, guiding him in the proper manner befitting his lineage. Under the tutelage of Kripa, he was taught the complete and well-prepared science of archery, receiving instruction as thorough as that which Drona gave to Arjuna or Bhargava to Karna. Having mastered these disciplines, the young prince grew strong and unconquerable, excelling in both archery and Vedic knowledge, and attaining understanding of the highest truths. He became accomplished in the meaning of the scriptures of dharma, was ever truthful and self-controlled, and ruled his kingdom with righteousness, just as Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, had once done. In time, Suvarnavarma, the king of Kashi, gave his beautiful, radiant daughter in marriage to Parikshit's son. Janamejaya, delighted, received the dark-eyed princess with joy, just as kings of old rejoiced in gaining their beloved. Like Vichitravirya rejoiced in Subhadra, and Arjuna in her, Janamejaya wandered with his bride through forests and groves. With his lotus-eyed queen by his side, as Shachi is to Indra, the people of his realm were deeply content and cherished, living in happiness. The ministers, skilled in their duties, accomplished all tasks efficiently. At that time, a sage named Uttanka arrived. Uttanka, afflicted by the serpent Takshaka, came to Hastinapura, pondering who might avenge his enmity. Considering Janamejaya as the son of Parikshit, he approached the king and said, "O best of kings, you do not know what should or should not be done at the proper time. Today you do what should not be done, and you neglect what ought to be done. Why should I entreat you now, who are devoid of anger and effort?" Janamejaya replied, "I do not know of any enmity, nor have I acted in retaliation. Tell me, O most fortunate one, what enmity or cause there is." Uttanka explained, "Your father, O king, was killed by the wicked Takshaka. Gather your ministers and ask them about your father's destruction." The ministers then said, "He was bitten by a snake and died due to the curse of a Brahmin." Janamejaya asked, "The curse of the sage is said to be the cause of my father's death. But tell me, O best of sages, what fault lies with Takshaka?" Uttanka replied, "Takshaka bribed Kasyapa and turned him back; thus, Takshaka is truly your enemy and your father's slayer, O king. Long ago, Ruru's wife was bitten by a snake and died, but the sage did not marry her, and his beloved was brought back to life. Thereupon, Ruru made a terrible vow: 'Whichever snake I see, I will kill with a weapon.' Having made this vow, Ruru, weapon in hand, roamed the earth, slaying snakes wherever he found them. "Once, in the forest, he saw a dreadful, aged Dundubha and approached, raising his staff to strike. The sage, angry, struck at it, but the Dundubha spoke, 'I have done you no wrong, O sage; why do you wish to kill me?' "Ruru replied, 'My beloved, dear to my life, was bitten by a snake and died; in my grief, I made this vow, O serpent.' "The Dundubha said, 'I do not bite you; there are other serpents who bite. Because of the nature of my body, you should not harm me.' "Moved by these human words, Ruru asked, 'Who are you, and how did you become a Dundubha?' "The serpent replied, 'I was once a Brahmin, O sage; my friend was named Khagama, a Brahmin, best among the righteous, truthful, and self-controlled. Out of foolishness, I deceived him and caused him to cross over as a snake, terrifying him in the house of the sacred fire. Trembling, he cursed me: "Become a snake, you dull-witted one, for you have wronged me." I earnestly entreated him, and, calmed somewhat, he said, "You will be freed from this curse by Ruru, O serpent." He said to me, "Surely you are the son of Pramati." I am Ruru, a serpent; listen to my supreme words. '"Nonviolence is the highest duty for Brahmins; there is no doubt about this. Compassion must be shown everywhere by the wise Brahmin. Except in sacrifice, O best of Brahmins, violence is not proper for a Brahmin.' "Sūta said: Freed from the serpent birth, that Brahmin became Ruru. Having ended his curse and abandoned violence, he married his beloved, who, once dead, was restored to life. "Recalling the slaughter of all serpents and the enmity created, you, however, have abandoned enmity and live among the serpents. Without anger towards those who killed his father, O best of Bharatas, your father died in the sky, deprived of ritual bathing and gifts. "O king, perform the rescue for him by killing the serpents. He does not know his father's enmity, for he died while still alive. Your father's misfortune will remain until you destroy them. Perform the sacrifice to Ambā, the supreme goddess, O best of kings. Remembering your father's enmity, conduct the serpent sacrifice." Sūta said: Hearing these words, King Janamejaya was deeply moved—tears fell from his eyes, and he was filled with distress. "Shame on me, with such poor judgment, who acted vainly," he lamented.