Shloka 17
Nahuṣa Abhiṣeka and the Crisis of Restraint (नहुषाभिषेकः—दमभ्रंशः)
सतां संदृश्य दुष्टात्मा प्राह सर्वानू सभासद:
satāṁ saṁdṛśya duṣṭātmā prāha sarvānū sabhāsadaḥ | āgacchatu śacī mahāṁ kṣipram adya niveśanam ||
徳ある者たちの集いを目にすると、邪心を抱くナフシャは廷臣一同に向かって言った。「インドラの王妃シャチー（Śacī）を、今日ただちに我が邸へ来させよ。なぜインドラの妃は我が奉仕に現れぬのか。われこそは神々の中のインドラ、また万界の主である。ゆえに女神シャチーは直ちに我が宮殿へ参れ！」
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse warns that power without self-restraint turns into adharma: Nahusha’s pride makes him claim Indra’s position and demand Śacī’s submission, showing how arrogance and desire lead to ethical collapse and social disorder.
Nahusha, described as wicked-minded, addresses the assembled courtiers and orders that Śacī, Indra’s queen, be brought quickly to his palace, asserting that he is now Indra and lord of the worlds.