Shloka 27
Nahūṣa’s Pride, the Ṛṣi-Borne Palanquin, and the Search for Indra (नहुष-इन्द्राणी-प्रकरणम्)
ततः प्रज्वाल्य विधिवज्जुहाव परमं हवि:
tataḥ prajvālya vidhivad juhāva paramaṃ haviḥ | tadanantaraṃ mahātejasvī bṛhaspatine devarāja-kī prāptaye vidhpūrvakam agniṃ prajvālya tasmin uttama-haviṣyasyāhutiṃ dadau | rājan! agnim āhutiṃ dattvā sa agnidevam uvāca—“tvam indradevasya padaṃ anviccha” iti |
तब उन्होंने विधिपूर्वक अग्नि प्रज्वलित करके उसमें उत्तम हविष्य की आहुति दी। राजन्, आहुति देकर उन्होंने अग्निदेव से कहा—“इन्द्रदेव का निवास-स्थान पता लगाइए।”
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights vidhivat (rule-governed) action: when seeking higher counsel or divine assistance, one should proceed with discipline, purity of method, and reverence—using proper means rather than haste or coercion.
Śalya describes a ritual act: the sacred fire is kindled and an excellent oblation is offered. After the offering, Agni is requested to locate Indra (the king of the gods), indicating a quest for divine contact or guidance through the sanctioned medium of sacrifice.