कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य नहुषो नाम पार्थिवः । प्राप्तवान् देवराज्यं हि नयबुद्धिपराक्रमः ॥ १ ॥
After some time, a king named Nahuṣa, renowned for his wisdom in policy, sharp intellect, and extraordinary valor, ascended to the position of the king of the gods.
प्रशशास तदा राज्यं देवैर्व्युष्टिमवाप्नुवन् । गान्धर्वं चैअ नाट्यं च दृष्ट्वा चिन्तामुपागमत् ॥ २ ॥
He ruled the kingdom and attained prosperity through the favor of the gods. Upon witnessing the Gandharva and Nāṭya performances, he became contemplative.
कृताञ्जलिः प्रयोगार्थं प्रोक्तवांस्तु सुरान् नृपः । अप्सरोभिरिदं सार्धं नाट्यं भवतु मे गृहे ॥ ४ ॥
With folded hands, the king humbly requested the gods for the performance, saying, "Let this dramatic art, accompanied by the celestial nymphs, be enacted in my abode."