11 - SAINYODYOGA PARVA (Contd)

Shalya said: -

1. Then did all the gods and Yakshas with the Kinnaras say: Annoint this handsome Nahusha in the kingship of the gods.

2. He is powerful enjoys fame and is ever virtuous. Going to him they said: O ruler of the earth be our king.

3. Thus, O king, did Nahusha, who wished their welfare, address the gods and the Rishis who were accompanied by our ancestors.

4. I am weak; it is not in my power to protect you. The powerful should make kings, (and) power ever graced Shakra.

5. All the gods and the foremost among the Rishis said to him: Endued with the virtue of devotion, protect our kingdom in heaven.

6. All of us doubtless have grave fears; be annointed our king, O foremost among monarchs, be the king of heaven.

7-8. You will absorb the power, of the gods, the Danavas, the Yakshas. Rishis the Rakshasas, the Pitris, the Gandharvas, and all other beings within the range of your sight as soon as you see them. Setting virtue always above all other considerations be the lord of all worlds.

9. Protect also the Brahmarshis and the gods in heaven. And that chief among the kings being annointed the king in heaven, and placing virtue above everything else became the protector of the worlds.

10. Being granted a rare boon and obtaining the kingdom in heaven, he gave himself up to gratifying every wish of his, though before this he had ever been a virtuous being.

11. In all the gardens of the gods, and in the pleasure gardens, on the Kailasa and on the brow of the Himavat, on the Mandara and on the white mountains,

12. On the Shalya, on the Mahendra, and on the Malaya in the seas and in the lakes surrounded by fairies and nymphs,

13. Nahusha, the king of the gods, spent his time in many sorts of sports and hearing many sorts of stories relating to the gods, which were sweet to listen to.

14-15. (He spent his time also) with all sorts of musical instruments and sweet sounding songs. And Vishwavasu and Narada and Gandharvas and celestial nymhs and the six seasons personified, attended on him. Breezes, fragrant, cooling, and charming too blew on him.

16. The Goddess, the dearly beloved Queen of Shakra, caught the gaze of the high-minded Nahusha, given thus to sporting.

17. Seeing her the evil minded one thus addressed his courtiers; why does not the Goddess, the queen of Indra, attend on me,

18. As the lord of the gods and the worlds, I am Indra. Let Shachi come to my palace this day at once.

19. Hearing this speech of the evil minded one the goodness said to Vrihaspati: -Protect me from Nahusha O Brahmana. I throw myself entirely under your protection.

20. O Brahmana, do you speak of me as having all the auspicious marks on my person, as the consort of the king of the gods, and so exceedingly prosperous.

21. Before this have you spoken of me as being (ever) without widowhood, an only wife, and strictly chaste; let this speech of thine be made true.

22. O god, O lord, what you have said has never before proved false, Therefore, O you foremost among the twice-born, let this said by you be true.

23. Then did Vrihaspati address the panic-stricken queen of Indra. What has been said by me, O Goddess, will most certainly prove true.

24. You will soon see the king of the gods, Indra, come here. Nahusha need not be feared by you. I speak this truly.

25-26. I shall without delay bring Indra near you. Nahusha heard that the queen of Indra had placed herself under the protection of Vrihaspati the son of Angirasa and the king became very angry.

Thus ends the eleventh chapter the fear of the queen of Indra in the Udyoga Parva.