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 ||
“凡进入我目光所及之处者，皆当受我支配。”怀着此念，那胡沙在升往天界之时，向梵天祈求此等恩赐——使任何踏入他视野的人都落入他的控制之下。
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.