Shloka 253
नहुषोपाख्यानम्—दीपदान-धूप-बलीकर्म-प्रशंसा
Nahūṣa Episode and the Commendation of Lamp-Gifting and Household Offerings
अदृष्टेनाथ भुगुणा भूतले भरतर्षभ । भरतश्रेष्ठ! भूगु नहुषको दिखायी नहीं दे रहे थे। उनके इस प्रकार शाप देनेपर नहुष सर्प होकर पृथ्वीपर गिरने लगे
adṛṣṭenātha bhṛguṇā bhūtale bharatarṣabha | tasmād ayaṃ punaḥ śakro devarājye ’bhiṣicyatām ||
Bhīṣma said: “O bull among the Bharatas, when the sage Bhṛgu was no longer to be seen upon the earth, therefore let Śakra (Indra) once again be consecrated to the sovereignty of the gods. For without a king, orderly life cannot be sustained anywhere; hence restore the former Indra to the post of lord of the devas.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage underscores the dharmic necessity of legitimate rulership: society (and even the divine realm) cannot function without a recognized king, so rightful authority should be restored through proper consecration.
Bhishma recounts a moment after Bhṛgu is no longer present on earth, leading to the conclusion that Indra (Śakra) should be reinstalled as king of the gods through abhiṣeka, emphasizing the practical need for governance.