Shloka 16
Indra’s Brahma-hatyā, Flight from Sin, and Purification by Aśvamedha
तावत्त्रिणाकं नहुष: शशास विद्यातपोयोगबलानुभाव: । स सम्पदैश्वर्यमदान्धबुद्धि- र्नीतस्तिरश्चां गतिमिन्द्रपत्न्या ॥ १६ ॥
tāvat triṇākaṁ nahuṣaḥ śaśāsa vidyā-tapo-yoga-balānubhāvaḥ sa sampad-aiśvarya-madāndha-buddhir nītas tiraścāṁ gatim indra-patnyā
Während Indra sich versteckte, regierte Nahusha dank seiner mystischen Kraft den Himmel. Doch von Stolz geblendet, begehrte er Indras Frau und wurde verflucht, eine Schlange zu werden.
FAQs
This verse says that even one empowered by knowledge, austerity, and yoga can fall when blinded by the intoxication of prosperity and sovereignty.
Though he ruled Svarga by great acquired power, his pride made him lose proper judgment, and he was brought to a degraded, animal-like state through the agency of Indra’s wife, Śacī.
Power and success should be guarded by humility; otherwise, pride can destroy discernment and lead to rapid downfall despite one’s abilities or achievements.