He himself ate the fruit within which Takshaka lay hidden. O Shaunaka, when he was eating the fruit, there appeared from the fruit an ugly insect, of shape scarcely discernible, of black eyes and coppery colour. The best of kings, taking up the insect, said to his councillors,
विधिना संप्रयुक्तो वै ऋषिवाक्येन तेन तु। यस्मिन्नेव फले नागस्तमेवाभक्षयत्स्वयम्॥ ततो भक्षयतस्तस्य फलात्कृमिरभुदणुः। ह्रस्वकः कृष्णनयनस्तामवर्णोऽथ शौनक।॥