Shloka 1
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 13: Śacī’s Delay, Deva-Counsel, and Indra’s Purification
अपन क्राता छा अकाल त्रयोदशो< ध्याय: नहुषका इन्द्राणीको कुछ कालकी अवधि देना, इन्द्रका ब्रह्महत्यासे उद्धार तथा शचीकद्वारा रात्रिदेवीकी उपासना शल्य उवाच अथ तामब्रवीद् दृष्टवा नहुषो देवराट् तदा । त्रयाणामपि लोकानामहमिन्द्र: शुचिस्मिते
śalya uvāca | atha tām abravīd dṛṣṭvā nahuṣo devarāṭ tadā | trayāṇām api lokānām aham indraḥ śucismite ||
Śalya berkata: Maka Nahuṣa—yang ketika itu bertindak sebagai raja para dewa—setelah melihatnya, berkata: “Wahai yang senyumannya suci, akulah Indra, penguasa ketiga-tiga alam.”
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Authority asserted by title or force is ethically fragile; true sovereignty in the Mahābhārata is measured by dharma—self-control, truth, and rightful conduct—rather than mere possession of office.
In Śalya’s narration, Nahuṣa, having assumed Indra’s role, speaks to Indrāṇī (Śacī) and declares himself to be Indra over the three worlds, setting up the ensuing conflict between his claim and the rightful order.