Shloka 16
Upaśruti Guides Indrāṇī to Indra; Indrāṇī Reports Nahuṣa’s Misconduct (उपश्रुति-इन्द्राणी-इन्द्रदर्शन प्रसङ्गः)
उपतिषछेति स क्रूर: कालं॑ च कृतवान् मम । यदि न त्रास्यसि विभो करिष्यति स मां वशे
upatiṣṭheti sa krūraḥ kālaṃ ca kṛtavān mama | yadi na trāsyasi vibho kariṣyati sa māṃ vaśe || śatakrato! trīṇāṃ lokānām indrapadaṃ prāpya nahuṣo bala-parākramasampannaḥ garveṇa pūritaḥ | sa duṣṭātmā mayāpi uktaḥ—tvaṃ mama sevāyām upatiṣṭha iti | sa krūro nṛpo mama kṛte kālam avadhiṃ kṛtavān | prabho! yadi tvaṃ māṃ na trāsyasi tadā sa pāpī māṃ vaśaṃ neṣyati ||
वह क्रूर बोला—“मेरी सेवा में उपस्थित हो,” और उसने मेरे लिए समय-सीमा भी ठहरा दी है। प्रभो! यदि आप मेरी रक्षा नहीं करेंगे तो वह मुझे अपने वश में कर लेगा।
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and elevated status, when joined to pride, quickly turn into coercion and adharma. The verse highlights the ethical danger of arrogance: a ruler who forgets restraint begins to treat others as instruments, demanding servile attendance. It also frames protection of the vulnerable as a duty of rightful authority.
Śalya addresses Indra (Śatakratu), reporting that Nahūṣa—having obtained Indra’s position—has become arrogant and is ordering even Śalya to attend him as a servant. Nahūṣa has set a deadline, and Śalya fears forced subjugation unless Indra intervenes to protect him.