Shloka 24
अग्निस्तुति, इन्द्रदर्शन, नहुष-भयवर्णन
Agni-hymn, discovery of Indra, and the Nahuṣa threat
गत्वाब्रुवन् नहुषं तत्र शक्र त्वं नो राजा भव भुवनस्य गोप्ता । तानब्रवीन्नहुषो नास्मि शक्त आप्यायध्वं तपसा तेजसा माम्,बृहस्पति बोले--शक्र! आपने जब उस महान् इन्द्र-यदका परित्याग कर दिया, तब देवतालोग भयभीत होकर दूसरे किसी इन्द्रकी कामना करने लगे। तब देवता, पितर, ऋषि तथा मुख्य गन्धर्व--सब मिलकर राजा नहुषके पास गये। शक्र! वहाँ उन्होंने नहुषसे इस प्रकार कहा--“आप हमारे राजा होइये और सम्पूर्ण विश्वकी रक्षा कीजिये।” यह सुनकर नहुषने उनसे कहा--“मुझमें इन्द्र बननेकी शक्ति नहीं है, अतः आपलोग अपने तप और तेजसे मुझे आप्यायित (पुष्ट) कीजिये”
gatvābruvan nahuṣaṃ tatra śakra tvaṃ no rājā bhava bhuvanasya goptā | tān abravīn nahuṣo nāsmi śakta āpyāyadhvaṃ tapasā tejasā mām ||
Indra said: Having gone there, they addressed Nahusha: “O Śakra, become our king, the protector of the world.” Hearing them, Nahusha replied, “I am not capable (of becoming Indra). Strengthen and empower me with your austerity (tapas) and spiritual radiance (tejas).”
इन्द्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
Authority is not merely conferred by request or crisis; it must be supported by inner qualification. Nahusha’s refusal without tapas and tejas underscores that rulership (as guardianship of the world) demands earned spiritual and moral potency, not only external endorsement.
After Indra withdraws, the gods and allied beings seek a replacement to stabilize cosmic governance. They approach King Nahusha and ask him to become their ruler and protector. Nahusha replies that he lacks the capacity and asks them to empower him through their austerity and radiance.