Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 17
Dhūpa–Dīpa–Bali Phala Praśna; Nahūṣa–Agastya–Bhṛgu Saṃvāda
Incense, Lamp, and Bali Offerings; the Nahūṣa Dialogue
यो मे दृष्टिपथं गच्छेत् स मे वश्यो भवेदिति । इत्यनेन वरं देवो याचितो गच्छता दिवम्,स्वर्गलोकमें आते समय इस नहुषने ब्रह्माजीसे यह वर माँगा था कि “जो मेरे दृष्टिपथमें आ जाय, वह मेरे अधीन हो जाय”
yo me dṛṣṭipathaṃ gacchet sa me vaśyo bhaved iti | ityanena varaṃ devo yācito gacchatā divam ||
“Sinumang mapasok sa abot ng aking paningin ay magiging sakop ko.” Sa ganitong hangarin, nang siya’y paakyat sa langit, si Nahusha ay nakiusap sa diyos na si Brahmā ng gayong biyaya—upang ang sinumang pumasok sa kanyang tanaw ay mapasailalim sa kanyang kapangyarihan.
अगस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse warns that power sought for domination—making others ‘vaśya’ merely by being seen—undermines dharma. Boons amplify inner intent; when the intent is control rather than responsibility, the result tends toward pride and ethical downfall.
Agastya recounts that Nahusha, on his way to heaven, asked Brahmā for a boon: anyone who came within his sight would become subject to him. This sets up Nahusha’s later overreach, where extraordinary authority becomes a cause of misconduct.