In Hindu mythology Takshaka was a great Naga King that was driven out of his home in the Khandava Forest by the Pandava brothers and forced to build a new city known as Takshasila, where he ruled over the naga race. Seeking vengeance for the injustice of being driven from his own home, he set his sights on king Parikshit, the grandson of the third Pandava brother Arjuna. Takshaka poisoned Parikshit's food causing him to fall gravely ill. Help was sought from a priest of the Kasyapa tribe, the only man able to cure poisoning caused by a naga, but Takshaka had already bribed the priest not to help and Parikshit died.