Abhimanyu's son, Parikshit became the king of Hastinapur after the Pandavas left for the mountains.

One day, while wandering in a forest, Parikshit felt thirsty. He came upon a Sage and asked him for some water. The Sage was meditating and did not hear Parikshit. Losing his temper, the king lifted a dead snake and put it on the shoulders of the sage like a garland. Just then, the sage's son returned and saw the king do this. He was furious and cursed Parikshit to die from a snakebite within seven days. The sage scolded his son and sent a message to the king informing him about the curse. Soon, a big palace was built for Parikshit where he could be safe from snakes.

However, on the seventh day, the king of serpents, Takshaka, disguised himself as a worm and entered a fruit. A soon as the king bit the fruit,  Takshaka assumed his real form and coiled himself around Parikshit, killing him.