05.016
Bṛhaspati spoke:
O Agni, you are the mouth of all gods and the carrier of offerings. You move secretly within all beings as a witness.
The poets describe you as singular, yet also as threefold. If you were to abandon this world, O Fire, it would instantly be destroyed.
After offering salutations to you, O brāhmaṇas, they proceed on the path earned by their own deeds, accompanied by their wives and sons, towards the eternal.
O Agni, you are the one who carries the offerings and are the ultimate offering yourself. People worship you with sacrifices and rituals in the highest form of sacrifice.
O Agni, having created these three worlds, you are the one who, when the time comes, cooks again, being kindled. You are indeed the source and foundation of all this world once more.
O Agni, you are said to be the clouds and the lightning. All beings are consumed by fire, emerging from you, year after year.
O Fire, all waters are placed in you, and this entire world exists in you. There is nothing unknown to you in the three worlds.
Everyone worships their own origin without fear or doubt. I will elevate you with eternal Vedic mantras.
Shalya spoke:
Thus praised, the divine Agni, supreme among sages, spoke to Bṛhaspati with pleasure, saying excellent words: "I will indeed show you Indra, this I truly say to you."
The fire, after entering the waters along with the oceans and marshes, came to the lake where Indra was hidden.
Then, O best of the Bharatas, he saw Indra standing amidst the lotus fibers while searching for lotuses there.
Having arrived quickly, Bṛhaspati addressed the lord, who was supported by a lotus-thread, with a small form.
Bṛhaspati, accompanied by divine sages and Gandharvas, went and praised the god, the destroyer of Bala, with ancient deeds.
O Indra, you have slain the great demon Namuci, who was fierce. Similarly, you have also defeated Śambara and Bala, both known for their terrible prowess.
O Indra, increase in strength and vanquish all foes. Rise, O thunderbolt holder, and behold the gathered divine sages.
O great Indra, you protected the worlds by slaying the demons, O lord. You reached the foam of waters, empowered by Vishnu's energy, and formerly slew Vritra, O king of gods, O lord of the world.
You are the most excellent and praiseworthy among all beings; nothing equal to you exists here. You support all beings, O Indra, and you have demonstrated the greatness of the gods.
O great Indra, protect the gods and the worlds and attain strength. Thus praised, he gradually grew stronger.
He assumed his own form, became powerful, and spoke to the teacher, the god Bṛhaspati, who was present.
What task is left for you now that Tvashta's great demon Vritra, who sought to consume the worlds, has been slain?
Bṛhaspati spoke:
King Nahuṣa, a human, empowered by the divine sages, has taken over the kingdom of the gods and is causing great distress to all of us.
Indra spoke:
O Brihaspati, how did Nahusha, endowed with penance or prowess, manage to obtain the rare kingdom of the gods?
Bṛhaspati spoke:
The gods, being afraid, desired Indra's great position that was abandoned by you. Then all the gods, ancestors, sages, and groups of celestial musicians assembled together.
After going there, they addressed Nahusha, saying, "O Indra, become our king and protector of the world." Nahusha replied to them, "I am not capable; strengthen yourselves through penance and energy."
Encouraged by the gods, King Nahuṣa, known for his terrible strength, became the ruler of the three worlds. After obtaining the kingdom of the ascetic, his wicked nature led him to travel to different worlds using vehicles.
The remover of brilliance and poison to the sight, Nahusha, is very terrible; do not ever look at him. All the gods, afflicted by fear of Nahusha, move about in hidden forms, avoiding his sight.
Shalya spoke:
Thus spoke Brihaspati, the chief of the Angiras; Kubera, the guardian of the world; Vaivasvata, Yama the ancient god; and Soma and Varuna also arrived.
Having gathered, they said to Mahendra: "It is fortunate that Tvaṣṭra and Vritra are slain. We are glad to see you safe and unharmed, and the enemy defeated, O Shakra."
Indra, having properly addressed those, urged in the absence of Nahusha. The king of the gods, Nahusha, in his terrible form, may receive assistance there from you all.
They said, "Nahusha has a terrifying form and his gaze is poisonous; we are afraid, O god. If you, O king, can defeat Nahusha, then we indeed deserve a share, O Indra."
Indra declared, "You shall become the lord of waters; Yama and Kubera will receive the great consecration today alongside him; together, let us defeat the enemy Nahusha, who is fierce-eyed."
Then Agni requested Indra for a share, promising his assistance. Indra assured Agni that he would indeed have a share in the great sacrifice, signifying the collaboration between Indra and Agni.
Thus, having contemplated, the blessed great Indra, the subduer of Paka, also considered Kubera, the lord of all Yakshas and wealth.
Shakra, the boon-giver, honored Vaivasvata and Varuna, granting them sovereignty over the ancestors and the waters.
