Bhima, looking for food, one day came to a large cave on mountain-side. A huge python lived in the cave and caught unwary passers-by. As soon as it saw Bhima, it shot out towards him and, before he could do anything, it had coiled itself around him tightly. Bhima was unable to do anything. He introduced himself and asked the python why it was holding him in a stranglehold. “My name is King Nahusha,” replied the python, “And I am one of your early ancestors. I had insulted Brahmanas once and was cursed by sage Agastya to become a snake. Now I must eat you, unless you can answer my questions correctly.” Meanwhile, Yudhishthira and priest Dhaumya came looking for him. Finding him in the coils of the python, Yudhishthira answered all his questions correctly. Immediately the python’s curse broke and, changing into Nahusha, he was set free to go to heaven.
Salvation for Nahusha
