Shloka 2
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 13: Śacī’s Delay, Deva-Counsel, and Indra’s Purification
एवमुक्ता तु सा देवी नहुषेण पतिव्रता,नहुषके ऐसा कहनेपर पतिव्रता देवी शची भयसे उद्विग्न हो तेज हवामें हिलनेवाले केलेके वृक्षकी भाँति काँपने लगीं। उन्होंने मस्तक झुकाकर ब्रह्माजीको प्रणाम किया और भयंकर दृष्टिवाले देवराज नहुषसे हाथ जोड़कर कहा--*देवेश्वर! मैं आपसे कुछ समयकी अवधि लेना चाहती हूँ
evamuktā tu sā devī nahuṣeṇa pativratā | bhayenodvignā śacī tejaḥ-pavane hilamāna-kadalī-vṛkṣavat kampamānā | śiraḥ praṇamya brahmāṇam ugra-dṛṣṭaye devarāja-nahuṣāya kṛtāñjalir uvāca—deveśvara, kāla-mātram icchāmi ||
فلما خاطبها نَهُوشَةُ بذلك اضطربت الإلهةُ شَچِي—الثابتةُ على عفّة الزوجة ووفائها—ورجفت من الخوف كغصنِ موزٍ يتمايل في ريحٍ عاصفة. طأطأت رأسها وسجدت لبَرَهْمَا، ثم ضمّت كفّيها وخاطبت نَهُوشَةَ ذي النظرة المروّعة: «يا سيّدَ الآلهة، ألتمس منك مهلةً يسيرة».
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic self-control under pressure: Śacī’s pativratā integrity is preserved not by impulsive defiance but by respectful speech, seeking time, and appealing to higher authority—showing prudence as a means to protect righteousness when confronted by misuse of power.
Nahusha addresses Śacī in an intimidating manner. Śacī becomes fearful and trembles, yet she remains composed: she bows to Brahmā, then with folded hands speaks to Nahusha, requesting a short period of time—an intentional delay that sets up her next protective action in the story.