Shloka 21
Nahuṣa Abhiṣeka and the Crisis of Restraint (नहुषाभिषेकः—दमभ्रंशः)
देवराजस्य दयितामत्यन्तं सुखभागिनीम् । अवैधव्येन युक्तां चाप्येकपत्नीं पतिव्रताम्,यह सुनकर शचीदेवी मन-ही-मन बहुत दुःखी हुईं और बृहस्पतिसे बोलीं--'ब्रह्मन! मैं आपकी शरणमें आयी हूँ, आप नहुषसे मेरी रक्षा कीजिये। विप्रवर! आप मुझसे कहा करते हैं कि तुम समस्त शुभ लक्षणोंसे सम्पन्न, देवराज इन्द्रकी प्राणवल्लभा, अत्यन्त सुखभागिनी, सौभाग्यवती, एकपत्नी और पतिव्रता हो
devarājasya dayitām atyantaṃ sukhabhāginīm | avaidhavyena yuktāṃ cāpy ekapatnīṃ pativratām ||
シャリヤは言った。「（彼女は）神々の王の愛妃、至上の幸いに恵まれ—寡婦となることなき相を具え、ただ一人の夫にのみ仕え、妻としての貞節に堅く立つ者である。」
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds ideals of marital dharma—exclusive fidelity (ekapatnī, pativratā) and auspicious protection of a wife’s status (avaidhavya). In ethical terms, it frames Śacī’s identity as grounded in virtue and rightful order, implying that coercion or violation (as threatened by Nahūṣa) is adharma and calls for protection by legitimate spiritual authority (Bṛhaspati).
Śacī (Indra’s consort) is described with honorific virtues while the broader episode shows her becoming distressed and seeking refuge with Bṛhaspati, asking him to protect her from Nahūṣa’s advances/pressure. The description supports her plea by emphasizing her rightful, faithful marital status.