Shalya continued his grave narration, describing the hardships Indra endured—hardships that arose paradoxically from deeds once praised as righteous. He recalled how Nahusha, swollen with newly acquired power, summoned the sages and sharply questioned them. He asked whether it was just that Brihaspati should protect Sachi against his declared will. The sages counselled restraint, warning that coveting another’s wife stains glory and consumes merit. Yet Nahusha, proud and defiant, replied that when Indra desired Ahalya none had restrained him, and he asked why wisdom should differ in his case. The sages, shaken by his fierce logic and fearful of his wrath, withdrew to Brihaspati. Their words were overheard by Sachi herself as they reported that Nahusha now rivalled Indra in might and desired her, and that refusal was perilous. They implored the great preceptor to find a means to quiet his rage and protect her.
Sachi, heavy with grief, reproached Brihaspati. She asked whether it was right for him to counsel her submission, and whether such advice would not draw the censure of the worlds and amount to blasphemy. She had long been praised as pure and chaste, and she wondered if that praise was false. Brihaspati, smiling gently yet firm in resolve, rebuked the sages for their fear. He declared that Nahusha’s command could not simply be ignored, for duty sustains the worlds. He reminded them of Brahma’s ordinance that those who seek refuge must be protected, lest righteousness perish and ritual merit become barren. Yet he rejected the purpose born of fear and instead proposed a stratagem: Sachi should approach Nahusha and ask for time, while sacred rites would be performed to restore Indra’s brilliance.
With cautious hope the plan was accepted. Sachi went to Nahusha and found him restless, his mind unsettled and his face lacking confidence. Speaking softly, she urged him first to ascertain Indra’s condition, saying that haste is unwise when the heart is uncertain. Nahusha, pleased and beguiled by her gentle words, agreed and allowed her to return to Brihaspati’s abode.
Meanwhile, the gods and sages slipped beyond Nahusha’s vigilance and approached Vishnu. They prayed for Indra’s release from sin. Vishnu, compassionate, advised the performance of the great horse sacrifice, whose merit could sever the bonds of guilt. Following this counsel, they went to Indra and completed the rite, thereby freeing him. Yet when Indra returned to his realm and beheld Nahusha blazing with borrowed brilliance, fear seized him. Though absolved of the sin of slaying a brahmin, his confidence faltered, and he vanished again, unseen.
Sachi, anguished, sought him by night through worship. Then the goddess of foretelling appeared and declared that Sachi’s truth and chastity would guide her. She led her beyond the northern mountains to a vast lake filled with lotuses. There, within the subtle fibres of a many-colored lotus, Indra lay concealed. Sachi found him and poured forth praise of his former virtues. She told him of Nahusha’s advances and of the time she had won, pleading that without his strength, the deceitful king would destroy her.
Indra replied with measured calm. He explained that Nahusha’s might, strengthened by the austerities of sages and gods, could not yet be confronted. Political wisdom, he said, counsels endurance until pride ripens into ruin. He then instructed her to tell Nahusha to come to her borne upon a palanquin carried by sages, for that single act would ensure his downfall.
Sachi obeyed and returned to Nahusha. She suggested that at the appointed time, he should come to her borne by sages alone, a distinction that would enhance his glory. Nahusha, intoxicated by vanity, proclaimed that the Seven Sages themselves would carry him. Deluded by pride, he summoned them and paraded thus without shame.
Sachi then hurried back to Brihaspati and declared that Nahusha was rushing toward his fate. Seeking protection as one who had taken refuge, she placed herself under his care. Brihaspati assured her of safety and promised rituals to strengthen Indra. He foretold that Nahusha’s balance would fail when he rode upon the shoulders of the sages.
Through meditation, Brihaspati discovered Indra’s hiding place. After worshipping the fire god and sending him forth with sacred chants, Agni searched tirelessly and at last found Indra concealed within the lotus threads. He returned and reported the discovery. Thereupon, Brihaspati, accompanied by gods and sages, approached Indra. With subtle reasoning, he dispelled Indra’s doubts, reminding him that Vishnu himself had destroyed the cosmic threat and granted victory. Through this discerning counsel, he removed the last trace of fear and sin, restoring Indra’s divine form.
Indra then learned how Nahusha had been placed upon the throne when heaven stood leaderless, how the sages and gods had lent him the power of their penance, and how he had fallen from righteousness into arrogance. Nahusha had even begun to abuse the sages themselves. Brihaspati declared that the time for his fall had arrived, for his brilliance was already fading through his own humiliation of the wise.
Strengthened by renewed resolve, Indra prepared to act. Soon afterward, the sage Agastya recounted how Nahusha, in rage and arrogance, had scorned sacred hymns and struck him. By that act, Nahusha forfeited all merit. Agastya cursed him to fall from heaven and become a serpent upon the earth until redeemed in a distant age. Thus, the justice of the fall became clear to all. Nahusha plunged from heaven, Indra’s sovereignty was restored, and the balance of the worlds was upheld.
Thus, Shalya concluded his narration before Dharmaraja. He reminded him that even Indra had endured exile until time turned favourable. Steadfastness in virtue, he said, is the shield of kings. He foretold that Duryodhana would perish like Nahusha, while Dharmaraja would shine like Indra. Dharmaraja, heartened and grateful, honoured Shalya and sent him onward, strengthened by the ancient tale whose hearing and telling bestow courage, victory, and the blessings of gods and sages.
