Nahusha, a revered ancestor of the Pandavas, was born in the Lunar Dynasty and hailed from a distinguished lineage. He was the grandson of Pururava, the celebrated lover of the celestial nymph Urvashi. His father was Ayus, the eldest son of Pururava. Nahusha himself became a powerful king and was blessed with a son named Yayati, who is a notable figure in Hindu mythology and plays a significant role in the lineage leading up to the Pandavas.
Due to Nahusha’s piety and good deeds, he was granted entry to heaven after his death. His virtues earned him not only celestial honor but also a powerful boon that allowed him to draw half the power of anyone within his line of sight, making him nearly invincible. When Indra, the king of the gods, had to go into exile due to a curse, the Devas appointed Nahusha as their temporary ruler, recognizing his virtue and strength.
However, with his newfound power and authority, Nahusha soon fell prey to pride. Arrogantly, he set his sights on Sachi, the consort of Indra, and desired her for himself. Sachi, uncomfortable with Nahusha’s advances, devised a clever plan to delay him. She informed Nahusha that, to court her, he must arrive in a grand chariot drawn by none other than the SaptaRishis (the seven great sages), who were revered by all, including the gods.
Blinded by his arrogance, Nahusha commanded the exalted sages to serve as his carriers. While the sages acquiesced, Nahusha grew impatient as they traveled. In his arrogance, he called out, “Sarpa, Sarpa!” which in Sanskrit can mean both “faster” and “snake.” When Agastya, one of the most venerated of the seven sages, slowed in his steps, Nahusha kicked him, prompting the sage’s wrath. Agastya cursed Nahusha, declaring that he would become a sarpa—a snake—thus fulfilling Nahusha’s unintended invocation of the term.
Shocked and penitent, Nahusha pleaded for mercy, realizing the gravity of his disrespect toward the sages. Agastya foretold that he would remain a snake until he was freed by one of his descendants. This prophecy would eventually be fulfilled in the Mahabharata when Bhima, one of the Pandavas, encountered Nahusha in his serpent form.
During the Pandavas’ exile, Nahusha, now in the form of a giant serpent, captured Bhima in the forest, binding him with his immense strength. As Bhima struggled, Yudhishthira arrived and was able to speak to Nahusha, understanding that the serpent was, in fact, his ancestor. Nahusha posed a series of questions, testing Yudhishthira’s wisdom and adherence to dharma. Satisfied with Yudhishthira’s insightful and truthful answers, Nahusha was freed from his curse and was finally released from his snake form, attaining liberation.
The story of Nahusha serves as a profound reminder of the dangers of arrogance and pride, even for the most virtuous and powerful individuals. His fall from grace due to hubris and his redemption through humility, as well as his reliance on the wisdom of his descendants, emphasizes the Hindu belief in dharma (righteousness) and the redeeming power of humility and wisdom.