Nahusha Reveals His Curse and Liberation

"Even an extremely strong and brave man is deluded by prosperity," the serpent said. "All those who are immersed in happiness become confused in intelligence. I became deluded because of my prosperity. I was intoxicated. Though enlightened, I descended into this state — and am enlightening you now." He told Yudhishthira his story. In earlier times, he had roamed heaven in a celestial chariot. He was Nahusha — king of the gods, ruler of the three worlds. Brahmarshis (great sages), gods, gandharvas (celestial musicians), yakshas (nature spirits), rakshasas (demons), serpents, kinnaras (half-human celestial beings) — all had to pay him taxes. Whatever being his eyes happened to behold, the strength of his sight robbed him of energy. Thousands of brahmarshis bore his palanquin. One day, the sage Agastya was among those carrying him. Nahusha's foot happened to touch Agastya. In anger, destiny spoke through the sage: "May you be destroyed. Become a serpent." Nahusha fell from his celestial vimana (chariot). He lost all his ornaments. As he fell, face downwards, he saw that he had become a predatory serpent. He begged the brahmana for release. Agastya, overcome by compassion, told him: "Dharmaraja Yudhishthira will free you from this curse, once the fruits of your insolence and terrible strength have decayed. You will then attain supreme fruits." Now the serpent looked at Yudhishthira. "That is the reason I asked you about the brahman and brahmanas. Truthfulness, self-control, austerities, non-violence, and constant benevolence are the means whereby men attain salvation — not through birth or lineage." He told Yudhishthira that Bhima was safe and unhurt. And then he said: "O great king! May you be fortunate. I will return to heaven."