N for Nahusha - Mahabharata Mashup
Namaskar,
Family trees are taken to a new level inMahabharata. There are so many characters, so many relations, diversions,additions, and whatnot that it can be overwhelming for most of us. Anyhoo, wewon’t be dealing with all that now.
Nahusha is an ancestor of the Puru/ Kuru dynasty andthe forefather of the Pandavas. He was called a rajarishi (a king who is alsoa rishi) and known for his goodness until power corrupted him and resulted in adownfall.
In Aranyaka Parva, Bhima went to explore the forestand came across a massive snake curled over a cave’s mouth. The snake said toBhima that it would eat him. Bhima, despite all his strength, couldn’t freehimself. The snake said he was Nahusha, an ancestor cursed to live like a snakeuntil someone from his future generations would answer his questionssatisfactorily and break the curse.
Well, long story short, Yudhistira wentlooking for Bhima and answered all the questions, freeing Nahusha and helping himregain his position in the astral realm.
But why was Nahusha cursed, and by whom?
Eons ago, Indra lost his right to the throne when hegot a pious Vritra slaughtered. He had to perform penance to atone for hissins. Since heaven needed a ruler, the celestial deities went to Nahusha andasked him to take the throne temporarily. He objected at first but agreed.However, his good nature began to get corrupted by the power of his position.It made him arrogant and invincible.
Nahusha demanded Indra’s wife, Sachi Devi, marry himsince he was now Indra. He was willing to use force if necessary. Sachi Devitook refuge with Brahma, who assured her she would not be married to anyone shedisliked and Indra would be her husband. However, they needed her help to removeNahusha from the throne. She agreed.
Sachi Devi told Nahusha she would marry him butwanted to see him as the lord of the world and ride a palanquin carried by theseven celestial rishis. Nahusha was delighted and ordered the same. He was soheady with power that he kicked Rishi Agastya, urging them to love faster.
Rishi Agastya was furious and cursed Nahusha to fall from heaven and become aserpent. Nahusha had been in the same serpent form for centuries, waiting for Bhima andYuhistira to come his way and free him from the curse. He shared his learningwith the Pandavas brothers, urging them not to commit similar mistakes and letarrogance and power control them.
Fun Fact: Snakes are a recurring theme in Mahabharata and appear in various forms. Vasuki, Takshaka, Nahusha, and Asvasena (Takshaka's son) are some examples.
Do you know the names of Kardu's Naga sons? .
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The AI images are made on Bing.
