05.011
शल्य उवाच॥
Śalya spoke:
ऋषयोऽथाब्रुवन्सर्वे देवाश्च त्रिदशेश्वराः। अयं वै नहुषः श्रीमान्देवराज्येऽभिषिच्यताम् ॥ ते गत्वाथाब्रुवन्सर्वे राजा नो भव पार्थिव ॥५-११-१॥
The sages and all the gods, along with the lords of the three worlds, declared that Nahuṣa, the prosperous one, should be anointed as the king of the gods. They then approached him and requested, "O earthly one, become our king."
स तानुवाच नहुषो देवानृषिगणांस्तथा। पितृभिः सहितान्राजन्परीप्सन्हितमात्मनः ॥५-११-२॥
Nahusha addressed the gods, sages, and ancestors together, expressing his desire for his own welfare, O king.
दुर्बलोऽहं न मे शक्तिर्भवतां परिपालने। बलवाञ्जायते राजा बलं शक्रे हि नित्यदा ॥५-११-३॥
I am weak and lack the strength to protect you. The king becomes strong, for strength always resides in Indra.
तमब्रुवन्पुनः सर्वे देवाः सर्षिपुरोगमाः। अस्माकं तपसा युक्तः पाहि राज्यं त्रिविष्टपे ॥५-११-४॥
All the gods, with the sages at the forefront, said to him again: "Endowed with our penance, protect the kingdom in heaven."
परस्परभयं घोरमस्माकं हि न संशयः। अभिषिच्यस्व राजेन्द्र भव राजा त्रिविष्टपे ॥५-११-५॥
There is no doubt that we have a terrible fear of each other. Therefore, O king of kings, consecrate yourself and become the ruler of heaven.
देवदानवयक्षाणामृषीणां रक्षसां तथा। पितृगन्धर्वभूतानां चक्षुर्विषयवर्तिनाम् ॥ तेज आदास्यसे पश्यन्बलवांश्च भविष्यसि ॥५-११-६॥
You will gain the brilliance that is visible to the eyes of gods, demons, yakshas, sages, demons, ancestors, gandharvas, and spirits, and by seeing it, you will become strong.
धर्मं पुरस्कृत्य सदा सर्वलोकाधिपो भव। ब्रह्मर्षींश्चापि देवांश्च गोपायस्व त्रिविष्टपे ॥५-११-७॥
Always prioritize duty and be the ruler of all realms. Protect the sages and gods in heaven.
सुदुर्लभं वरं लब्ध्वा प्राप्य राज्यं त्रिविष्टपे। धर्मात्मा सततं भूत्वा कामात्मा समपद्यत ॥५-११-८॥
After obtaining the rare boon and reaching the heavenly kingdom, the righteous person, who was always virtuous, became indulgent in desires.
देवोद्यानेषु सर्वेषु नन्दनोपवनेषु च। कैलासे हिमवत्पृष्ठे मन्दरे श्वेतपर्वते ॥ सह्ये महेन्द्रे मलये समुद्रेषु सरित्सु च ॥५-११-९॥
In all the divine gardens, including the groves of Nandana, and on the mountains like Kailasa, the back of the Himalayas, Mandara, the white mountain, Sahya, Mahendra, Malaya, as well as in the oceans and rivers.
अप्सरोभिः परिवृतो देवकन्यासमावृतः। नहुषो देवराजः सन्क्रीडन्बहुविधं तदा ॥५-११-१०॥
Nahusha, having become the king of gods, was then surrounded by Apsaras and divine maidens, engaging in various playful activities.
शृण्वन्दिव्या बहुविधाः कथाः श्रुतिमनोहराः। वादित्राणि च सर्वाणि गीतं च मधुरस्वरम् ॥५-११-११॥
Listening to various divine stories that are pleasing to the ears, along with all musical instruments and sweet melodies.
विश्वावसुर्नारदश्च गन्धर्वाप्सरसां गणाः। ऋतवः षट्च देवेन्द्रं मूर्तिमन्त उपस्थिताः ॥
Viśvāvasu, Nārada, along with groups of Gandharvas and Apsarases, as well as the six seasons and the embodied Indra, were present.
एवं हि क्रीडतस्तस्य नहुषस्य महात्मनः। सम्प्राप्ता दर्शनं देवी शक्रस्य महिषी प्रिया ॥५-११-१३॥
Thus, while Nahusha, the great soul, was playing, the beloved queen of Shakra, the goddess, arrived to see him.
स तां संदृश्य दुष्टात्मा प्राह सर्वान्सभासदः। इन्द्रस्य महिषी देवी कस्मान्मां नोपतिष्ठति ॥५-११-१४॥
The wicked-minded man, upon seeing her, addressed all the members of the assembly: "Why does Indra's queen, the goddess, not attend to me?"
अहमिन्द्रोऽस्मि देवानां लोकानां च तथेश्वरः। आगच्छतु शची मह्यं क्षिप्रमद्य निवेशनम् ॥५-११-१५॥
I am Indra, the lord of the gods and the worlds. Let Shachi come to me quickly today to the residence.
तच्छ्रुत्वा दुर्मना देवी बृहस्पतिमुवाच ह। रक्ष मां नहुषाद्ब्रह्मंस्तवास्मि शरणं गता ॥५-११-१६॥
Upon hearing this, the distressed goddess addressed Bṛhaspati, saying, "Please protect me from Nahusha, O Brahman, as I have sought refuge in you."
सर्वलक्षणसम्पन्नां ब्रह्मस्त्वं मां प्रभाषसे। देवराजस्य दयितामत्यन्तसुखभागिनीम् ॥५-११-१७॥
You address me as Brahma, endowed with all characteristics, the beloved of the king of gods, and extremely fortunate.
अवैधव्येन संयुक्तामेकपत्नीं पतिव्रताम्। उक्तवानसि मां पूर्वमृतां तां कुरु वै गिरम् ॥५-११-१८॥
You have previously told me to make that speech, indeed, about a woman who is united without widowhood, devoted to her husband, and truthful.
नोक्तपूर्वं च भगवन्मृषा ते किञ्चिदीश्वर। तस्मादेतद्भवेत्सत्यं त्वयोक्तं द्विजसत्तम ॥५-११-१९॥
O Supreme Lord, nothing you have spoken before has been false. Therefore, what you have spoken, O best of the twice-born, must be true.
बृहस्पतिरथोवाच इन्द्राणीं भयमोहिताम्। यदुक्तासि मया देवि सत्यं तद्भविता ध्रुवम् ॥५-११-२०॥
Bṛhaspati then reassured the frightened Indrāṇī, saying, "O goddess, rest assured that what I have told you will indeed come true."
द्रक्ष्यसे देवराजानमिन्द्रं शीघ्रमिहागतम्। न भेतव्यं च नहुषात्सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि ते ॥ समानयिष्ये शक्रेण नचिराद्भवतीमहम् ॥५-११-२१॥
You will soon see Indra, the king of gods, arriving here. Do not fear Nahusha; I assure you this is true. I will soon reunite you with Shakra.
अथ शुश्राव नहुष इन्द्राणीं शरणं गताम्। बृहस्पतेरङ्गिरसश्चुक्रोध स नृपस्तदा ॥५-११-२२॥
Then Nahuṣa heard that Indrani had sought refuge with Brihaspati and Angiras, and the king became angry.
