The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 5.16.23

5.16.23

bṛhaspatiruvāca |
devā bhītāḥ śakramakāmayanta tvayā tyaktaṃ mahadaindraṃ padaṃ tat |
tadā devāḥ pitaro'tharṣayaśca gandharvasaṃghāśca sametya sarve || 23 ||

"Vrihaspati said, 'The gods having been frightened, wished for a king of heaven, for thou hadst given up the high dignity of heaven's ruler. Then the gods, the Pitris of the universe, the saints, and the principal Gandharvas, all met together, O Indra, and went to Nahusha and said, 'Be thou our king, and the defender of the Universe!' To them said Nahusha, 'I am not able; fill me with your power and with the virtue of your austerities!' So told, the deities strengthened him, O king of the gods! And thereupon Nahusha became a person of terrible strength, and becoming thus the ruler of the three worlds, he hath put the great saints in harness, and the wretch is thus journeying from world to world. Mayst thou never see Nahusha who is terrible. He emitteth poison from his eyes, and absorbeth the energy of all. All the gods are exceedingly frightened; they go about concealed and do not cast a glance at him!'