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 |
毗湿摩说道：“于是，正凭借那些功德之业，那胡沙又一次获得了灵性的成就。如此，在上古之时，由于那胡沙的过失，才发生了这般事件；然而他凭借反复行诸福业——如施灯之供——又一次又一次重得吉祥的证得。”
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.