Word

Adrstabhaya

Sanskrit

अदृष्टभय

IAST

adṛṣṭabhaya

In General

Adrstabhaya is the curse put on King Janamejaya by Sarama, the dog of the Devas. While Janamejaya, the son of Parikshit was conducting a yaga at Kuruksetra, the sons of Sarama went to the place and was thrashed by the brothers of Janamejaya. Syama and Sabala, the sons of Sarama returned to their mother weeping; for the pain and humiliation met by her children, Sarama naturally got angry. She cursed the king thus : "My sons did not commit any offence; he did not even look at the Havis (oblations), nor did he lick it. For having thrashed the innocent children, you will experience Adrstabhaya (unknown fear).” When the yaga was over, Janamejaya got rid of the curse by getting the sage Somasravas do certain proper rites.