Shloka 12
Nahuṣa Abhiṣeka and the Crisis of Restraint (नहुषाभिषेकः—दमभ्रंशः)
कैलासे हिमवत्पृष्ठे मन्दरे श्वेतपर्वते । सहो महेन्द्रे मलये समुद्रेषु सरित्सु च
kailāse himavatpṛṣṭhe mandare śvetaparvate | sahā mahendre malaye samudreṣu saritsu ca ||
シャリヤは言った。「カイラーサにおいて、ヒマヴァットの高嶺において、マンダラと白き山において、またサヒヤ、マヘーンドラ、マラヤの諸山において、さらに大海と諸河のただ中において——神々の歓楽の園々とナンダナ林の小苑が満ちあふれるその地で、王ナフシャはアプサラスや天女たちとともに、さまざまな遊戯に興じていた。耳と心を喜ばせる多様な天上の物語に聴き入り、あらゆる楽器に合わせて甘美に歌われる歌を味わっていた。」
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the allure of celestial pleasure—gardens, music, stories, and companionship—implicitly warning that even exalted power and refined enjoyment can distract a ruler from restraint and dharma. It sets up an ethical contrast between indulgence and disciplined kingship.
Śalya describes King Nahuṣa moving through famed divine mountains, oceans, and rivers, enjoying the gods’ pleasure-groves (especially Nandana), sporting with apsarases and celestial maidens, and delighting in divine tales and music—an image of peak prosperity and indulgence in a heavenly setting.