Shloka 16
Nahuṣa Abhiṣeka and the Crisis of Restraint (नहुषाभिषेकः—दमभ्रंशः)
मारुत: सुरभिववाति मनोज्ञ: सुखशीतल: । एवं च क्रीडतस्तस्य नहुषस्य दुरात्मन:
mārutaḥ surabhivavāti manojñaḥ sukhaśītalaḥ | evaṃ ca krīḍatas tasya nahuṣasya durātmanāḥ
A fragrant breeze was blowing—pleasant, gently cool, and soothing. And while that wicked-souled Nahusha was thus sporting in such comfort…
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical contrast between pleasant external circumstances and a corrupted inner disposition: comfort and beauty do not justify unrighteous conduct, and indulgence without dharma tends toward downfall.
Śalya describes the setting around Nahusha: a sweet, cool, fragrant breeze accompanies Nahusha’s carefree enjoyment, serving as narrative atmosphere while emphasizing that Nahusha—despite such pleasant surroundings—is characterized as durātman (wicked-minded).