Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 23
Dhūpa–Dīpa–Bali Phala Praśna; Nahūṣa–Agastya–Bhṛgu Saṃvāda
Incense, Lamp, and Bali Offerings; the Nahūṣa Dialogue
अद्य हि त्वां सुद्दुर्वुद्धी रथे योक्ष्यति देवराट् । अद्यैनमहमुद्वृत्तं करिष्येडनिन्द्रमोजसा
adya hi tvāṁ suddurvuddhī rathe yokṣyati devarāṭ | adyainam aham udvṛttaṁ kariṣye ’nindram ojasā ||
“Ngayong araw, ang lubhang baluktot ang isip na iyon ay ipapahila ka sa kanyang karwahe, O panginoon ng mga diyos. Kaya ngayong araw din, sa lakas ng aking kapangyarihang espirituwal, ibabagsak ko ang mapagmataas na Nahuṣa at aalisan siya ng paghahari ni Indra.”
अगस्त्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Arrogance and abuse of power overturn rightful order: when a ruler becomes insolent and violates dharma, the moral-spiritual law (often through a sage’s tapas) brings downfall and loss of sovereignty.
Agastya addresses Indra, foreseeing that Nahusha will outrageously force Indra into servitude by yoking him to a chariot. Agastya declares he will use his spiritual power to depose Nahusha from Indra’s position, stripping him of that divine kingship.