Nahusha: Rise, Fall, and Redemption
Nahusha is a significant figure in Hindu mythology, particularly in the Puranas and the Mahabharata. He was a king from the Chandravamsha, or Lunar dynasty, which traces its lineage back to the Moon god. His story is filled with adventure, transformation, and a moral lesson on the consequences of arrogance.
Ancestry and Early Life
Nahusha was born to King Ayu, the eldest son of Pururavas, and Prabha, the daughter of the demon Rahu. His birth, however, had an intriguing beginning. According to the Padma Purana, his mother Prabha was childless for a long time and sought the blessings of the sage Dattatreya for a child who would be powerful and virtuous. Eventually, Ayu and Prabha were blessed with a son, who would grow up to be Nahusha.
A remarkable incident soon follows. Nahusha was kidnapped by the demon Hunda, who was afraid of a prophecy that Ashokasundari, the daughter of Shiva and Parvati, had made. Ashokasundari had cursed Hunda, stating that a son of Ayu would one day defeat him. In an effort to avoid his fate, Hunda kidnapped the infant Nahusha. However, the demons were unable to kill the child and abandoned him at the hermitage of the sage Vashistha. The sage took the child in, raised him, and named him “Nahusha,” which means “the fearless one.”
Nahusha grew into a brave and wise young man, and under Vashistha’s guidance, he became a powerful warrior. He eventually discovered his true parentage and set out to confront Hunda. After a fierce battle, Nahusha killed Hunda and returned to his parents, where he married Ashokasundari, fulfilling the prophecy.
Rising to Power: Ruler of Svarga
Nahusha’s story takes an extraordinary turn when he ascends to the position of ruler of Svarga, the heavenly realm. This occurred when Indra, the king of the gods, went to war with the demon Vritra. During Indra‘s absence, Nahusha was appointed as the temporary ruler of Svarga.
Initially, Nahusha was a just and noble ruler. However, power soon went to his head. Arrogance consumed him, and he desired to marry Shachi, the wife of Indra. Overcome with pride, he commanded the Saptarishi (Seven Vedic sages) to carry his palanquin to Shachi’s residence, urging them to move faster by repeatedly saying “sarpa, sarpa” (meaning “move, move”). This disrespect infuriated the sage Agastya, who was one of the Saptarishi.
In retaliation, Agastya cursed Nahusha, turning him into a serpent and casting him down from the heavens. Stripped of his godly powers and reduced to a snake, Nahusha fell to the earth, where he remained in his new form.
The Curse and Redemption
In the Dvapara Yuga, during the time of the Pandavas, Nahusha’s story is revisited. The Pandavas were exiled after losing a game of dice, and Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers, was captured by the serpent Nahusha while wandering through the forest. Nahusha, still in his serpent form, planned to devour Bhima, as he had received a boon from Agastya that allowed him to drain the strength of beings more powerful than himself.
Despite Bhima’s immense strength, Nahusha’s curse made him weak. However, Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, was searching for his brother Bhima. When he found him trapped by Nahusha, the serpent revealed himself to be Yudhishthira’s ancestor and recounted his fall from grace. Nahusha confessed his arrogance and the mistakes that led to his downfall, advising Yudhishthira to learn from them.
Moved by Nahusha’s tale and wisdom, Yudhishthira performed a ritual to lift Nahusha’s curse. As a result, Nahusha was released from his serpent form and ascended back to Svarga. His curse was lifted, and he was redeemed, while Bhima regained his strength.
Nahusha’s Legacy in Other Stories
Aside from his appearance in the Mahabharata, Nahusha also appears in other mythological tales, illustrating the moral implications of his character. One such story is found in The Worth of Kine, written by Sister Nivedita, in which Nahusha is involved in an episode concerning the sage Bharadvaja. In this story, the sage Chyavana is caught in a fishing net, and the fishermen, unaware of his identity, take him to King Nahusha, demanding payment for the fish they have caught. In this instance, Nahusha is portrayed as a king who upholds justice in a seemingly trivial matter but also demonstrates his sense of duty and responsibility.
Moral Lessons from Nahusha’s Story
Nahusha’s life serves as a powerful example of how arrogance and unchecked desires can lead to downfall, no matter how high one may rise. His fall from grace as the ruler of Svarga and his eventual redemption carry important lessons about humility, respect for others, and the consequences of excessive pride.
From his rise as a great warrior and king to his descent into a serpent, Nahusha’s story reminds us of the delicate balance between power and humility. His final redemption also shows that no one is beyond forgiveness if they truly repent for their mistakes, and that every action has its consequences, whether immediate or delayed.
In summary, Nahusha’s legend is a rich and multifaceted tale that reflects the complexities of human nature, the dynamics of power, and the importance of learning from one’s past.
