In the previous episode, we had witnessed King Shalya narrating an instance wherein Indra too had to undergo similar suffering like how Yudishtra is undergoing currently. King Shalya is narrating this to motivate Yudishtra to continue following the path of “Dharma” at all times without deviating from it. We’ve witnessed how Indra got into a mess with Tvashta’s son, who in turn created the Raakshasa called Vridhraasura. Indra had a tough time in defeating Vridhraasura, however, even after this, he was caught up with the treacherous “Brahma-Hatthi-Dosha”. Because of this, Indra had to hide somewhere amidst a lotus petal and prays to Bhagawan Vishnu once again to get rid of this. As Indra is in such a big mess, the leadership position of the “Deva-Lokha” is vacant and for this, all the Devas are mooting Nahusha to occupy it.
Upon hearing this from the Devas, Nahusha is extremely happy and thrilled! Who on earth would deny such a lucrative position, and that too if it comes without taking any effort? Thus, Nahusha immediately accepts the position and starts enjoying all the luxuries of being the leader of the “Svarga Lokha”. He enjoys all the luxurious places, food items and even the women there. Nahusha’s desires only start growing further and further as he sees more and more beautiful women dancing around him at all times. He enjoys all of them to his heart’s content, yet his desire keeps growing further and further! Finally, as Nahusha sees Indrani, he falls in love with her as well! Indrani, being Indra’s wife, is deeply anguished with what is happening, and hence, goes and prays to all the Maharishis and the Devas that such a thing should not happen! As Indrani represents herself and her chastity in front of all the Maharishis, the plan is made – Firstly, Indra should come out of this “Brahma-Hatthi-Dosha” and only then he can come out of his hiding place! But how can this be achieved?
Indrani gives an idea thus, “Oh Maharishis! You are seven in number, arent’ you? Now go and tell Nahusha that if Indrani has to accept you, you’ve to come to the bank of a particular lake. To come to this lake, you can tell him that all of you will carry him in a royal carriage!” The Maharishis sense a plan in this and accept it. They straightaway go to Nahusha and propose this idea to him. As Nahusha hears this, he immediately agrees, as his desire towards Indrani grows further and further! Nahusha is now super-excited to see Indrani and express his desire to her. Thus, as the Maharishis propose, Nahusha gets into the royal carriage and is now being carried by all of them!
However, as the Maharishis are carrying him, Nahusha feels that they are delaying his arrival at the lake due to their slow speed. One of the seven Maharishis who are carrying Nahusha is Sage Agasthya, who is short and stout in nature. Upon seeing Sage Agasthya walking in a slow speed, Nahusha kicks him on his head out of impatience! He says to Sage Agasthya “Sarpa! Sarpa!” In Sanskrit, this phrase has two meanings – One is “speed” and the other is “snake”! Upon Nahusha kicking and insulting him badly, Sage Agasthya gets extremely angry! He immediately curses Nahusha thus, “Oh Nahusha! Your desire and impatience knows no bounds! You’ve now gone to the extent of insulting Maharishis like us! Hence, since you’ve used the phrase “Sarpa”, you will go and be born as a “Sarpa” (Snake) in the world with immediate effect! You will be residing as a snake in the “Manushya Lokha” for the next ten thousand years until Yudishtra comes and releases you from this curse!”
With this, Nahusha’s leadership position at the “Svarga Lokha” is gone for a toss and Nahusha now goes and takes birth as a python amidst the forest! Thus, as Nahusha vacates the chair, at the same time, Indra’s “Brahma-Hatthi-Dosha” also comes to an end. With this, Indra once again reunites with his wife, Indrani, and regains his leadership position of the “Svarga Lokha”! Thus, here is the link as to how Nahusha was born as a snake and we’ve earlier witnessed how Yudishtra released Nahusha from this curse. So for today, let us understand up to this point and we shall move ahead with the next important event in the next episode! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 