WHY PARIKSHIT?

Why is the son of Abhimanyu and Uttara, the only heir to the Pandava clan known as Parikshit?

1. While he was still in his mother Uttara’s womb, Lord Krishna entered into Uttara’s womb and stayed with him protecting him with His Sudarsana Chakra against the Brahmaastra sent by the vengeful Aswattama. As soon as he came out of his mother’s womb he looked around searching for the One who had protected him in the womb. Since he did ‘pariksha’ [test] of each and everyone around he came to be known as ‘Parikshit’.
2. Parikshit had been coronated as the king. When he went around his kingdom to learn the well-being of his people he found a man [‘Kali purusha’] in the garb of the royal caste harassing a cow [mother earth]. Angered at this, he enquired into the identity of the man and the reason for his cruel behaviour and chastised him. Thus, he came to be known as ‘Parikshit’.

2. Parikshit had been coronated as the king. When he went around his kingdom to learn the well-being of his people he found a man [‘Kali purusha’] in the garb of the royal caste harassing a cow [mother earth]. Angered at this, he enquired into the identity of the man and the reason for his cruel behaviour and chastised him. Thus, he came to be known as ‘Parikshit’.

3. During one of his hunting expeditions in the forest he came across the great Sage Sameeka, as he went in search of water. He asked the Sage for water. But the Sage who sat in deep samadhi state did not hear or see him. Angered and to test if the Sage was really in samadhi state he picked up a dead snake with the tip of his arrow and placed it around the neck of the Sage. Thus, he came to be known as ‘Parikshit’.

4. When Parikshit learnt of the Sage’s son’s curse [that he would be bitten on the seventh day from thence, by the serpent Takshaka] he enquired into the best path that would lead to liberation within that time. Thus, he came to be known as ‘Parikshit’.

5. In Srimad Bhagavatam we find that at each and every stage of the narration of the Lord’s Lilas by Sri Suka, the king places several questions for our benefit.

He has asked several questions on our behalf, so that we do not nurture even an iota of doubt in Srimad Bhagavatam being the easiest way to Mukti. Thus, he came to be known as ‘Parikshit’.