Adhyāya 12: Devas’ Petition to Nahūṣa; Bṛhaspati on Śaraṇāgata-Dharma; Indrāṇī’s Strategic Delay
देवा ऊचु त्वया जगदिदं सर्व धृतं स्थावरजड्रमम् | एकपत्न्यसि सत्या च गच्छस्व नहुषं प्रति
devā ūcuḥ tvayā jagad idaṁ sarvaṁ dhṛtaṁ sthāvara-jaḍramam | eka-patny asi satyā ca gacchasva nahuṣaṁ prati ||
Los dioses dijeron: «Por ti ha sido sostenido este mundo entero —lo inmóvil y lo inerte—. Eres fiel a un solo esposo y firme en la verdad. Por ello, ve ante Nahuṣa.»
शल्य उवाच
The verse praises two dharmic virtues—truthfulness (satya) and exclusive marital fidelity (eka-patnī)—as sustaining forces of order, so powerful that they are described as upholding the world; such virtue earns divine recognition and guidance.
Within Śalya’s narration, the gods address a virtuous woman, commending her truth and single-spouse fidelity, and instruct her to go to Nahuṣa—indicating that her moral authority and purity are pivotal to the next turn of events involving him.