Shloka 26
अग्निस्तुति, इन्द्रदर्शन, नहुष-भयवर्णन
Agni-hymn, discovery of Indra, and the Nahuṣa threat
तेजोहरं दृष्टिविषं सुघोरं मा त्वं पश्येर्नहुषं वै कदाचित् । देवाश्व सर्वे नहुष॑ भृशार्ता न पश्चन्ते गूढरूपा श्चरन्त:,वह देखनेमात्रसे सबका तेज हर लेता है। उसकी दृष्टिमें भयंकर विष है। वह अत्यन्त घोर स्वभावका हो गया है। तुम नहुषकी ओर कभी देखना नहीं। सब देवता भी अत्यन्त पीड़ित हो गूढरूपसे विचरते रहते हैं; परंतु नहुषकी ओर कभी देखते नहीं हैं
tejo-haraṁ dṛṣṭi-viṣaṁ su-ghoraṁ mā tvaṁ paśyer nahuṣaṁ vai kadācit | devāś ca sarve nahuṣe bhṛśārtā na paśyanti gūḍha-rūpāś carantaḥ ||
Indra said: “Nahuṣa is one who steals the very radiance of others merely by being seen; his gaze is like a dreadful poison, and his nature has become exceedingly fierce. Therefore, never look upon Nahuṣa at any time. Even the gods, sorely afflicted by him, move about in concealment and disguise, and they do not look toward Nahuṣa.”
इन्द्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
Unchecked arrogance and misuse of power become spiritually and socially toxic: a ruler who turns oppressive harms even the divine order. The verse frames ethical caution—avoid enabling or confronting destructive power in ways that invite harm; seek protection and right counsel.
Indra describes Nahuṣa as dangerously transformed—his very sight drains others’ brilliance and his gaze is like poison. Indra instructs the listener never to look at him, noting that even the gods, tormented by Nahuṣa, move about in disguise and avoid meeting his gaze.