Who · Parīkṣit, Śukadeva Gosvāmī and the assembled sages
The story · Parīkṣit regretted his act against the faultless brāhmaṇa. When he learned that the curse would bring death through the bite of a snake-bird, he accepted the news as an opportunity to become indifferent to worldly things. He entrusted the kingdom to his son and sat with self-control on the bank of the Ganges, where great sages assembled. When Śukadeva Gosvāmī arrived, the King bowed to welcome him, and everyone honored him with an exalted seat. Parīkṣit begged him to explain the way of perfection for everyone, especially for one about to die.
What it teaches · Parīkṣit turns repentance and impending death toward detachment and spiritual inquiry. He humbly seeks the guidance of a great devotee rather than remaining absorbed in worldly affairs.