Nahūṣa’s Pride, the Ṛṣi-Borne Palanquin, and the Search for Indra (नहुष-इन्द्राणी-प्रकरणम्)
ततः प्रज्वाल्य विधिवज्जुहाव परमं हवि:,तदनन्तर महातेजस्वी बृहस्पतिने देवराजकी प्राप्तिके लिये विधिपूर्वक अग्निको प्रज्वलित करके उसमें उत्तम हविष्यकी आहुति दी। राजन! अग्निमें आहुति देकर उन्होंने अग्निदेवसे कहा--“आप इन्द्रदेवका पता लगाइये”
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 |
ನಂತರ ಅವನು ವಿಧಿವತ್ತಾಗಿ ಅಗ್ನಿಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರಜ್ವಲಿಸಿ ಪರಮ ಹವಿಸ್ಸನ್ನು ಹೋಮಮಾಡಿದನು. ರಾಜೇಂದ್ರ, ಹೋಮಮಾಡಿ ಅಗ್ನಿದೇವನಿಗೆ—“ಇಂದ್ರನಿರುವ ಸ್ಥಳವನ್ನು ಕಂಡುಹಿಡಿ” ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದನು.
शल्य उवाच
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.