Shloka 13
Nahuṣa Abhiṣeka and the Crisis of Restraint (नहुषाभिषेकः—दमभ्रंशः)
अप्सतेभि: परिवृतो देवकन्यासमावृतः । नहुषो देवराजो<थ क्रीडन् बहुविधं तदा,देवराज नहुष सम्पूर्ण देवोद्यानोंमें, नन्दनवनके उपवनोंमें, कैलासमें, हिमालयके शिखरपर, मन्दराचल, श्वेतगिरि, सहा, महेन्द्र तथा मलयपर्वतपर एवं समुद्रों और सरिताओंमें, अप्सराओं तथा देवकन्याओंके साथ भाँति-भाँतिकी क्रीड़ाएँ करते थे, कानों और मनको आकर्षित करनेवाली नाना प्रकारकी दिव्य कथाएँ सुनते थे तथा सब प्रकारके वाद्यों और मधुर स्वरसे गाये जानेवाले गीतोंका आनन्द लेते थे
apsatebhiḥ parivṛto devakanyāsamāvṛtaḥ | nahuṣo devarājo 'tha krīḍan bahuvidhaṃ tadā ||
అప్సరసలచే పరివృతుడై, దేవకన్యలచే ఆవరించబడిన నహుషుడు—అప్పుడు దేవరాజునిగా—నానావిధ క్రీడలలో రమించెను.
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how power and privilege, when accompanied by unchecked enjoyment, can foster pride and ethical laxity. It sets up a cautionary contrast between rightful, restrained kingship (dharma) and rule that becomes absorbed in pleasure and self-importance.
Śalya describes Nahuṣa in a period when he is regarded as ‘devarāja,’ enjoying celestial company—apsarases and divine maidens—and engaging in varied amusements. The description functions as background to Nahuṣa’s elevated status and the atmosphere of indulgence associated with it.