As long as King Indra lived in the water, Nahuṣa ruled the heavenly kingdom, due to his knowledge, austerity and mystic power. Nahuṣa, however, became blinded by pride in his wealth, and took the body of a snake because of the instruction of Indra’s wife. Tri-nākam means Svarga. “How can a human rule Svarga?” Nahuṣa was endowed with knowledge, austerity and yogic power. This means he was capable of enlisting all powers and was capable of protecting Svarga. Why then did Indra again rule Svarga? Nahuṣa’s intelligence became blind with pride in his wealth. He had to take a snake’s body because of Indra’s wife. Nahuṣa one time spoke to Indra’s wife. “I am now Indra. Therefore you should serve me.” When he told her this, she spoke to Brḥaspati. He said, “Tell him that you will worship him if he comes carried by brāhmaṇas. Then he will fall down because of a brāhmaṇa’s curse.” She informed Nahuṣa, and he came, carried by Agastya and other sages. Saying “Go quickly (sarpa)” Nahuṣa touched Agastya with his foot. He was then cursed by the angry sage and became a snake (sarpa).