Shloka 22
Dhūpa–Dīpa–Bali Phala Praśna; Nahūṣa–Agastya–Bhṛgu Saṃvāda
Incense, Lamp, and Bali Offerings; the Nahūṣa Dialogue
भूगुरुवाच पितामहनियोगेन भवन्तं सो5हमागत: । प्रतिकर्तु बलवति नहुषे दैवमोहिते
Bhṛgur uvāca: pitāmaha-niyogena bhavantaṃ so ’ham āgataḥ | pratikartuṃ balavati Nahuṣe daiva-mohite ||
भृगुरुवाच—पितामहस्य नियोगेन सोऽहं भवत्समीपमागतः। बलवान् नहुषो दैवमोहितो विपथं गतः; अद्य ऋषीणां प्रति कृतात्याचारस्य प्रतिकर्तुं कालः॥
अगस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power without self-restraint leads to adharma; when a ruler, deluded by fate and pride, harms the righteous (ṛṣis), dharma demands accountability and proportionate requital to restore moral order.
Bhṛgu reports that Brahmā has commissioned him to approach Agastya, because King Nahuṣa—though powerful—has become deluded and oppressive; the sages are preparing to respond so that his wrongdoing against ṛṣis is answered and checked.