Shloka 24
Nahūṣa’s Pride, the Ṛṣi-Borne Palanquin, and the Search for Indra (नहुष-इन्द्राणी-प्रकरणम्)
शक्रं मृगय शीघ्र त्वं भक्ताया: कुरु मे दयाम् । बाढमित्येव भगवान् बृहस्पतिरुवाच ताम्
śakraṁ mṛgaya śīghra tvaṁ bhaktāyāḥ kuru me dayām | bāḍham ity eva bhagavān bṛhaspatir uvāca tām ||
“आप शीघ्र शक्र (इन्द्र) का पता लगाइए; मैं आपकी शरणागत भक्त हूँ—मुझ पर दया कीजिए।” तब भगवान् बृहस्पति ने “बहुत अच्छा” कहकर उससे कहा।
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds an ethical ideal: a devotee’s plea for mercy should be met with prompt, compassionate action. The readiness of a revered teacher (Bṛhaspati) to respond—“bāḍham” (“agreed”)—models responsible, benevolent counsel.
A devoted woman urgently requests that Śakra (Indra) be located and that compassion be shown to her. Bṛhaspati, the gods’ preceptor, assents and begins to explain what should be done next.