Shloka 21
Nahuṣa Abhiṣeka and the Crisis of Restraint (नहुषाभिषेकः—दमभ्रंशः)
देवराजस्य दयितामत्यन्तं सुखभागिनीम् । अवैधव्येन युक्तां चाप्येकपत्नीं पतिव्रताम्
devarājasya dayitām atyantaṃ sukhabhāginīm | avaidhavyena yuktāṃ cāpy ekapatnīṃ pativratām ||
Śalya dit : «(Elle est) l’épouse bien-aimée du roi des dieux, comblée d’un bonheur extrême — dotée de l’état de ne jamais être veuve, vouée à un seul époux, et ferme dans la fidélité d’épouse.»
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds ideals of marital dharma—exclusive fidelity (ekapatnī, pativratā) and auspicious protection of a wife’s status (avaidhavya). In ethical terms, it frames Śacī’s identity as grounded in virtue and rightful order, implying that coercion or violation (as threatened by Nahūṣa) is adharma and calls for protection by legitimate spiritual authority (Bṛhaspati).
Śacī (Indra’s consort) is described with honorific virtues while the broader episode shows her becoming distressed and seeking refuge with Bṛhaspati, asking him to protect her from Nahūṣa’s advances/pressure. The description supports her plea by emphasizing her rightful, faithful marital status.