Shloka 35
नहुषोपाख्यानम्—दीपदान-धूप-बलीकर्म-प्रशंसा
Nahūṣa Episode and the Commendation of Lamp-Gifting and Household Offerings
स चागस्त्येन क्रुद्धेन भ्रंशितो भूतलं गत: । तब पितामह ब्रह्माने इन्द्र तथा अन्य देवताओंको बुलवाकर उनसे कहा--'देवगण! मेरे वरदानसे नहुषने राज्य प्राप्त किया था। परंतु कुपित हुए अगस्त्यने उन्हें स्वर्गसे नीचे गिरा दिया। अब वे पृथ्वीपर चले गये ।।
sa cāgastyena kruddhena bhraṁśito bhūtalaṁ gataḥ | na ca śakyaṁ vinā rājñā surā vartayituṁ kvacit ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Et lui, précipité par la colère du sage Agastya, tomba sur la terre. De plus, sans roi, il n’est possible aux dieux de maintenir leur ordre nulle part».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical-political principle that stable order (even among the gods) depends on rightful kingship and governance; when a ruler falls from dharma or is removed, disorder follows, showing the gravity of royal responsibility.
Bhishma recounts that Nahusha, having incurred Agastya’s anger, was cast down from his exalted position and fell to the earth; Bhishma then adds that without a king the gods cannot properly maintain their functioning and order.