Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 383
नहुषोपाख्यानम्—दीपदान-धूप-बलीकर्म-प्रशंसा
Nahūṣa Episode and the Commendation of Lamp-Gifting and Household Offerings
सच तैरेव संसिद्धों नहुष: कर्मभि: पुनः । इस प्रकार पूर्वकालमें नहुषके अपराधसे ऐसी घटना घटी कि वे नहुष बार-बार दीपदान आदि पुण्यकर्मोंसे सिद्धिको प्राप्त हुए थे
sac tair eva saṁsiddho nahuṣaḥ karmabhiḥ punaḥ |
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Kaya nga, sa pamamagitan ng mismong mga gawang may bisa ng kabutihan, muling nakamtan ni Nahuṣa ang tagumpay na espirituwal. Sa ganitong paraan, noong unang panahon, dahil sa pagkakasala ni Nahuṣa ay naganap ang gayong pangyayari; subalit sa paulit-ulit na gawaing may merito—gaya ng pag-aalay ng ilawan—muli at muli niyang nabawi ang mapalad na pagtatamo.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after a grave offense brings downfall, sustained righteous action (puṇya-karma) can restore one’s auspicious state; ethical accountability and remedial merit both operate within dharma.
Bhishma recalls an ancient episode involving King Nahusha: due to an offense, a misfortune occurred, but Nahusha repeatedly regained success through meritorious deeds such as offerings and lamp-gifts.