Mahabharata — Udyoga Parva, Shloka 30
अग्निस्तुति, इन्द्रदर्शन, नहुष-भयवर्णन
Agni-hymn, discovery of Indra, and the Nahuṣa threat
राजा देवानां नहुषो घोररूप- स्तत्र साहां दीयतां मे भवद्धि: । ते चाब्रुवन् नहुषो घोररूपो दृष्टीविषस्तस्य बिभीम ईश
rājā devānāṃ nahuṣo ghorarūpas tatra sahāyāṃ dīyatāṃ me bhavadbhiḥ | te cābruvan nahuṣo ghorarūpo dṛṣṭiviṣas tasya bibhīma īśa ||
‘देवताओं का राजा नहुष अत्यन्त भयंकर रूप धारण कर रहा है। उसे स्वर्ग से हटाने के कार्य में आप लोग मुझे सहायता दें।’ यह सुनकर वे बोले—‘देवेश्वर! नहुष सचमुच घोर रूपवाला है; उसकी दृष्टि में विष है। इसलिए हम उससे भयभीत हैं।’
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power without restraint becomes frightening and destabilizing; when a ruler turns oppressive, restoring order may require collective responsibility, yet fear can paralyze even the capable—highlighting the ethical need for courage in upholding rightful order.
Śalya recounts a situation where Nahuṣa, having become king of the gods, turns terrifying. A request is made for help to remove him from heaven, but the gods respond that they fear him because his gaze is described as venomous.