Wednesday 21 December 2016

Nahusha cursed

Brihaspati said Let Sachi ask for sometime from Nahusha within which something could be done. Sachi, as per plan, went to Nahusha and said she would come to him later. Nahusha was smitten by lust seeing Sachi. He wanted her to accept him then, but Sachi asked for time again. She said she wanted to know where Indra was and wanted to find him. Once she was convinced that she would never find Indra, she would come to him.

Nahusha agreed to this. Sachi returned to Brihaspati. The Gods went to Vishnu. They said Indra was hiding because of the sin. Vishnu said - Let Indra offer me a sacrifice. I will liberate him from the sin. Indra will have to perform the horse sacrifice and this will also mark of end of Nahusha's rule. Be patient till then.

The Gods went and gave the message to Indra. Indra performed the sacrifice and was liberated. He then went to face Nahusha. Indra trembling the moment he saw Nahusha. He fled again and hid somewhere.

Sachi appealed to the Goddess of the night, Ratri, to help her. When Ratri appeared before her, Sachi said she wanted to know where Indra was hiding. Ratri agreed to help her. Ratri asked Sachi to follow her. They crossed many fields, many mountains and when they came to the sea, they stopped at an island in the middle of the sea. It was a beautiful island, where birds were nesting. Colorful lotus flowers blommed there. In the middle was a large white lotus with a thick stem. Ratri pierced the stem of the flower, and Sachi saw Indra there.

Seeing Indra in a minute form, Sachi too reduced her size and went to Indra. She told Indra all about Nahusha. Sachi asked Indra to come and fight Nahusha. Indra said at this moment, the battle had to fought with the mind and not weapons. He said he had a plan and told Sachi what to do.

Sachi returned. She then asked to meet Nahusha. When Nahusha came,  Sachi said - I had asked for time. Now my time is over. I want to you to come to me in an unique vehicle. Indra had horses and elephants. I want you to come in a palanquin borne by the great sages.

Nahusha was pleased. He agreed to this. He said would come to her in a palanquin borne by the seven great sages.

Brihaspati, in the meantime , started a fire and started chanting mantras to find out where Indra was. Agni appeared before Brihaspati and the priest said he wanted to know where Indra was.

Agni assumed the form of a maiden and went around and soon came back to Brihaspati. He said he had searched everywhere except in the waters and Indra was not found. Brihaspati gave Agni the power to travel in water. Agni went again and this time Indra was found in the lotus stem. Agni came and informed Brihaspati.

The Gods and Brihaspati then went to Indra and asked him to return.

While Indra was thinking what to do, Agastya appeared there. He said he had helped in getting rid of Nahusha. All asked him what he had done. Agastya said -

Nahusha had become proud and haughty. He argued with the sages bearing the palanquin and had in the process, kicked Agastya. Angry, Agastya had cursed Nahusha to be turned into a snake.

Indra then returned back to his kingdom and regained his throne.

End his tale, Shalya said - Even Indra had to suffer. Your enemies will soon be gone.

Yudhistira repeated his request of asking Shalya to become the charioteer of Karna. Shalya agreed to that.

Saying this, Shalya returned back.










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