Shloka 2
Nahūṣa’s Fall Explained: Agastya’s Account to Indra (Śalya-narrated)
तपस्वी तत्र भगवानगस्त्य: प्रत्यदृश्यत । सोडब्रवीदर्च्य देवेन्द्र दिष्ट्या वै वर्धती भवान्
tapasvī tatra bhagavān agastyaḥ pratyadṛśyata | so 'bravīd arcya devendra diṣṭyā vai vardhatī bhavān |
Śalya said: “At that time the revered ascetic Agastya appeared there. Having paid homage to Indra, he said: ‘It is indeed fortunate that you, O lord of the gods, are steadily prospering—through the destruction of Viśvarūpa and the slaying of Vṛtra. O Purandara, it is also a matter of good fortune that today Nahūṣa has fallen from the sovereignty of the gods. By good fortune I see you now free of enemies.’”
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage frames political and cosmic stability as dependent on righteous victory and the restoration of proper order: when disruptive powers (like Nahūṣa’s overreach) are removed, the ruler is described as ‘enemy-free’ and flourishing. It also models respectful speech—Agastya begins with worship and then offers auspicious, confidence-giving counsel.
As Indra sits with the gods and world-guardians considering how to deal with Nahūṣa, the sage Agastya appears, honors Indra, and congratulates him on his rising fortune—citing earlier feats (Viśvarūpa’s destruction and Vṛtra’s death) and noting that Nahūṣa has now been cast down from the gods’ sovereignty.