When Indra – The King of Heaven was forced into exile due to a curse, the Devas selected Nahusha as their king. However, power corrupted Nahusha, leading him to covet Sachi – The Consort of Indra, Indra’s consort, as his queen. In a bid to escape his advances, Sachi devised a plan, telling Nahusha that he must come to her in a chariot drawn by the Sapta Rishis (seven great sages).
Intoxicated by his desires, Nahusha ordered the revered sages to pull his chariot. Growing impatient during the journey, he shouted “Sarpa, Sarpa” (a word that means both “faster” and “snake” in Sanskrit) and kicked Agastya – The Sage who created Kaveri, one of the sages, who was hidden from Nahusha’s view due to his short stature. Angered by this disrespect, Agastya cursed Nahusha to become a snake.
Repentant, Nahusha pleaded for mercy. It was prophesied that his descendants, the Pandavas, would eventually free him from this curse. This prophecy was fulfilled when Nahusha, in his snake form, captured Bhima. Yudhishthira, Bhima’s brother, correctly answered all of Nahusha’s questions, thereby releasing him from the curse and restoring him to his former self.
Sources & further reading
These themes are explored in greater depth across the following authoritative resources:
- Britannica, Asura
- Britannica, Naga
- Mythopedia, Hindu Mythology
- Internet Sacred Text Archive, Mahabharata
- Wendy Doniger, Hindu Myths (Penguin Classics, 1975)
External resources for further reading. Apam Napat is not affiliated with these publishers; citation does not imply endorsement.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Nahusha in Hindu mythology?
How did Nahusha become king of heaven?
Why was Nahusha cursed?
Who freed Nahusha from his serpent curse?
Based on the classical texts of Hindu mythology, see our sources.