05.013
Śalya spoke:
Then Nahuṣa, the king of gods, upon seeing her, declared: "O pure-smiled one, I am the Indra of all three worlds. O beautiful lady, accept me as your husband, O lady of excellent complexion."
Thus addressed by Nahusha, the devoted goddess trembled with fear, like a banana plant swaying in the wind.
She respectfully saluted Brahma, made a gesture of reverence with folded hands on her head, and then addressed Nahusha, the king of gods, who appeared terrifying.
I seek to gain some time from you, O lord of gods, as it is unclear whether Śakra has arrived or where he might have gone.
O lord, if this truth is not known after knowing it, then I will indeed approach you. I truly say this to you. Hearing these words from Indrani, Nahusha was pleased.
Nahusha spoke:
Let it be so, O beautiful-hipped one, as you have spoken to me. Remember this truth, knowing the arrival and duty.
Śalya spoke:
Released by Nahusha, the auspicious ascetic then departed and went to Brihaspati's abode.
Upon hearing her words, the gods, with Agni at the forefront, gathered with focused minds to deliberate on behalf of Indra, O noble king.
The experts in speech, having met with the mighty Vishnu, the god of gods, spoke to him in distress.
Indra, the lord of the gods, was indeed overcome by the sin of killing a Brahmin. You, O lord of the gods and elder of the world, are our refuge. To protect all beings, you took on the form of Vishnu.
O best of the celestial hosts, please guide Indra, who is afflicted by the sin of killing a Brahmin, to liberation after Vritra was slain by your power.
Upon hearing those words from the gods, Vishnu declared: "Let Indra worship me alone; I shall purify the one who wields the thunderbolt."
By performing the horse-sacrifice and worshipping me, Indra, the ruler of the gods, will regain his position as the king of the gods, free from any fear.
Nahusha, due to his own actions and evil nature, will eventually face destruction. O gods, please endure this situation for a while without growing weary.
Upon hearing the auspicious and truthful speech of Viṣṇu, which was like nectar, all the gods, along with their teachers and sages, went to the place where Indra was troubled by fear.
There, a grand Ashvamedha (horse sacrifice) was conducted by the great Mahendra for the purpose of purification, serving as a means to absolve the sin of Brahminicide, O king.
O Yudhishthira, the sin of killing a Brahmin is distributed among trees, rivers, mountains, the earth, and women.
After distributing and releasing among the beings, the lord of gods, Indra, became free from fever and sin, and was self-possessed.
The destroyer of strength, having seen Nahusha, who was unshakeable and removed from his position, and who was unbearable due to the boon, and a destroyer of the energy of all beings.
Then the heroic lord of Shachi vanished once more. He became invisible to all beings and wandered, yearning for the right time.
When Śakra was destroyed, Śacī, overwhelmed with grief, cried out in deep sorrow, "Alas, O Śakra."
If what has been given and offered has pleased the teachers, then let there be indeed the truth of having one husband, if that truth exists in me or not.
I offer my respects to this sacred and divine night that has commenced in the northern course; may my wishes come true.
The prepared goddess approached the night there. Because of her chastity and truthfulness, she then listened.
The goddess requested, "Show me the place where the king of gods resides." She declared to the hearing, "Let the truth be revealed by truth."
