05.012
शल्य उवाच॥
Śalya spoke:
क्रुद्धं तु नहुषं ज्ञात्वा देवाः सर्षिपुरोगमाः। अब्रुवन्देवराजानं नहुषं घोरदर्शनम् ॥५-१२-१॥
The gods, along with the leading sages, realized that Nahusha was angry. They approached Nahusha, the king of gods, who appeared terrifying, to address the situation.
देवराज जहि क्रोधं त्वयि क्रुद्धे जगद्विभो। त्रस्तं सासुरगन्धर्वं सकिंनरमहोरगम् ॥५-१२-२॥
O king of the gods, let go of your anger. When you are angry, O lord of the universe, the entire world, along with demons, celestial musicians, kinnaras, and great serpents, becomes terrified.
जहि क्रोधमिमं साधो न क्रुध्यन्ति भवद्विधाः। परस्य पत्नी सा देवी प्रसीदस्व सुरेश्वर ॥५-१२-३॥
O holy one, conquer this anger; those like you do not get angry. She is the wife of another, a goddess, so be pleased, O lord of gods.
निवर्तय मनः पापात्परदाराभिमर्शनात्। देवराजोऽसि भद्रं ते प्रजा धर्मेण पालय ॥५-१२-४॥
Turn your mind away from sinful acts, especially from coveting another's wife. As the king of gods, ensure the welfare of your subjects by ruling with righteousness.
एवमुक्तो न जग्राह तद्वचः काममोहितः। अथ देवानुवाचेदमिन्द्रं प्रति सुराधिपः ॥५-१२-५॥
Despite being told thus, he did not heed those words, being deluded by desire. Then, the lord of the gods addressed Indra.
अहल्या धर्षिता पूर्वमृषिपत्नी यशस्विनी। जीवतो भर्तुरिन्द्रेण स वः किं न निवारितः ॥५-१२-६॥
Ahalya, the illustrious wife of the sage, was dishonored by Indra while her husband was still alive. Why did you not prevent this?
बहूनि च नृशंसानि कृतानीन्द्रेण वै पुरा। वैधर्म्याण्युपधाश्चैव स वः किं न निवारितः ॥५-१२-७॥
In the past, Indra committed many cruel and unrighteous acts, including deceptions. Why did you not prevent him?
उपतिष्ठतु मां देवी एतदस्या हितं परम्। युष्माकं च सदा देवाः शिवमेवं भविष्यति ॥५-१२-८॥
May the goddess attend to me, as this is her supreme welfare. Your gods will always remain auspicious in this way.
देवा ऊचुः॥
The gods spoke:
इन्द्राणीमानयिष्यामो यथेच्छसि दिवस्पते। जहि क्रोधमिमं वीर प्रीतो भव सुरेश्वर ॥५-१२-९॥
We will bring Indrani as you desire, O lord of the day. Let go of this anger, hero, and be pleased, O lord of gods.
शल्य उवाच॥
Shalya spoke:
इत्युक्त्वा ते तदा देवा ऋषिभिः सह भारत। जग्मुर्बृहस्पतिं वक्तुमिन्द्राणीं चाशुभं वचः ॥५-१२-१०॥
After speaking thus, the gods, along with the sages, went to Bṛhaspati and Indrāṇī to convey the inauspicious words, O Bhārata.
जानीमः शरणं प्राप्तमिन्द्राणीं तव वेश्मनि। दत्ताभयां च विप्रेन्द्र त्वया देवर्षिसत्तम ॥५-१२-११॥
We acknowledge that Indrani, having sought refuge in your abode, has been assured safety by you, O eminent sage and foremost among divine sages.
ते त्वां देवाः सगन्धर्वा ऋषयश्च महाद्युते। प्रसादयन्ति चेन्द्राणी नहुषाय प्रदीयताम् ॥५-१२-१२॥
The gods, along with the Gandharvas and sages, are beseeching you, O great lustrous one, that Indrani should be given to Nahusha.
इन्द्राद्विशिष्टो नहुषो देवराजो महाद्युतिः। वृणोत्वियं वरारोहा भर्तृत्वे वरवर्णिनी ॥५-१२-१३॥
Nahusha, who is superior to Indra and the king of gods with great splendor, may this beautiful lady of excellent complexion choose him as her husband.
एवमुक्ते तु सा देवी बाष्पमुत्सृज्य सस्वरम्। उवाच रुदती दीना बृहस्पतिमिदं वचः ॥५-१२-१४॥
After being addressed in this way, the goddess, shedding tears audibly, spoke these words to Brihaspati while weeping and feeling wretched.
नाहमिच्छामि नहुषं पतिमन्वास्य तं प्रभुम्। शरणागतास्मि ते ब्रह्मंस्त्राहि मां महतो भयात् ॥५-१२-१५॥
I do not desire Nahusha as my husband, having followed that lord. I have come to you for refuge, O Brahman; please protect me from this great fear.
बृहस्पतिरुवाच॥
Bṛhaspati spoke:
शरणागतां न त्यजेयमिन्द्राणि मम निश्चितम्। धर्मज्ञां धर्मशीलां च न त्यजे त्वामनिन्दिते ॥५-१२-१६॥
I am certain, O Indrani, that I would never abandon someone who has sought my refuge. I will not abandon you, O blameless one, who is knowledgeable in dharma and virtuous.
नाकार्यं कर्तुमिच्छामि ब्राह्मणः सन्विशेषतः। श्रुतधर्मा सत्यशीलो जानन्धर्मानुशासनम् ॥५-१२-१७॥
As a Brahmin, I particularly refrain from undertaking actions, being aware of the teachings of the law, truthful in character, and knowledgeable about the instructions of the law.
नाहमेतत्करिष्यामि गच्छध्वं वै सुरोत्तमाः। अस्मिंश्चार्थे पुरा गीतं ब्रह्मणा श्रूयतामिदम् ॥५-१२-१८॥
I will not do this. Go, indeed, O best of gods. Listen to what was formerly sung by Brahma regarding this matter.
न तस्य बीजं रोहति बीजकाले; न चास्य वर्षं वर्षति वर्षकाले। भीतं प्रपन्नं प्रददाति शत्रवे; न सोऽन्तरं लभते त्राणमिच्छन् ॥५-१२-१९॥
His efforts do not bear fruit at the right time, nor does he receive help when needed. He aids his enemies when they are vulnerable, but finds no refuge when he seeks protection.
मोघमन्नं विन्दति चाप्यचेताः; स्वर्गाल्लोकाद्भ्रश्यति नष्टचेष्टः। भीतं प्रपन्नं प्रददाति यो वै; न तस्य हव्यं प्रतिगृह्णन्ति देवाः ॥५-१२-२०॥
The foolish person who gives to those who are frightened and have surrendered finds his food in vain and falls from the heavenly world, as the gods do not accept his offering.
प्रमीयते चास्य प्रजा ह्यकाले; सदा विवासं पितरोऽस्य कुर्वते। भीतं प्रपन्नं प्रददाति शत्रवे; सेन्द्रा देवाः प्रहरन्त्यस्य वज्रम् ॥५-१२-२१॥
His progeny is indeed destroyed untimely; his ancestors always exile him. When frightened and surrendered, he gives to the enemy; the gods along with Indra strike him with a thunderbolt.
एतदेवं विजानन्वै न दास्यामि शचीमिमाम्। इन्द्राणीं विश्रुतां लोके शक्रस्य महिषीं प्रियाम् ॥५-१२-२२॥
Knowing this, I will certainly not give Śacī, who is renowned in the world as Indrāṇī, the beloved queen of Śakra.
अस्या हितं भवेद्यच्च मम चापि हितं भवेत्। क्रियतां तत्सुरश्रेष्ठा न हि दास्याम्यहं शचीम् ॥५-१२-२३॥
Let what is beneficial for both her and me be done, O best of gods, for I will not give up Śacī.
शल्य उवाच॥
Śalya spoke:
अथ देवास्तमेवाहुर्गुरुमङ्गिरसां वरम्। कथं सुनीतं तु भवेन्मन्त्रयस्व बृहस्पते ॥५-१२-२४॥
Then the gods addressed Brihaspati, the foremost among the Angirasa sages, asking him to provide guidance on how things could be properly directed.
बृहस्पतिरुवाच॥
Bṛhaspati spoke:
नहुषं याचतां देवी किञ्चित्कालान्तरं शुभा। इन्द्राणीहितमेतद्धि तथास्माकं भविष्यति ॥५-१२-२५॥
The auspicious goddess Indrani, requesting Nahusha, said that this will indeed be for our welfare for some time.
बहुविघ्नकरः कालः कालः कालं नयिष्यति। दर्पितो बलवांश्चापि नहुषो वरसंश्रयात् ॥५-१२-२६॥
Time, which causes many obstacles, will eventually lead everything. Even the proud and strong Nahusha was led by the refuge of a boon.
शल्य उवाच॥
Śalya spoke:
ततस्तेन तथोक्ते तु प्रीता देवास्तमब्रुवन्। ब्रह्मन्साध्विदमुक्तं ते हितं सर्वदिवौकसाम् ॥ एवमेतद्द्विजश्रेष्ठ देवी चेयं प्रसाद्यताम् ॥५-१२-२७॥
Then, when he spoke thus, the gods, being pleased, said to him: "O Brahman, what you have spoken is well said and beneficial for all the inhabitants of heaven." Therefore, O best of the twice-born, this goddess should be propitiated.
ततः समस्ता इन्द्राणीं देवाः साग्निपुरोगमाः। ऊचुर्वचनमव्यग्रा लोकानां हितकाम्यया ॥५-१२-२८॥
Then all the gods, led by Agni, spoke calmly to Indra's wife with the intention of benefiting the worlds.
त्वया जगदिदं सर्वं धृतं स्थावरजङ्गमम्। एकपत्न्यसि सत्या च गच्छस्व नहुषं प्रति ॥५-१२-२९॥
You uphold the entire world, both the movable and immovable. You are a faithful and singular wife, so go to Nahusha.
क्षिप्रं त्वामभिकामश्च विनशिष्यति पार्थिवः। नहुषो देवि शक्रश्च सुरैश्वर्यमवाप्स्यति ॥५-१२-३०॥
O goddess, the king who desires you will quickly perish. Nahuṣa and Indra will gain the lordship over the gods.
एवं विनिश्चयं कृत्वा इन्द्राणी कार्यसिद्धये। अभ्यगच्छत सव्रीडा नहुषं घोरदर्शनम् ॥५-१२-३१॥
After making her decision, Indrani bashfully approached Nahusha, who was terrifying in appearance, to accomplish her task.
दृष्ट्वा तां नहुषश्चापि वयोरूपसमन्विताम्। समहृष्यत दुष्टात्मा कामोपहतचेतनः ॥५-१२-३२॥
Upon seeing her, who was endowed with both youth and beauty, Nahusha, whose mind was corrupted by desire, felt a wicked joy.
