Shloka 23
Adhyāya 12: Devas’ Petition to Nahūṣa; Bṛhaspati on Śaraṇāgata-Dharma; Indrāṇī’s Strategic Delay
अस्या हित॑ भवेद् यच्च मम चापि हित॑ भवेत् | क्रियतां तत् सुरश्रेष्ठा न हि दास्याम्यहं शचीम्,श्रेष्ठ देवताओ! जो इनके लिये हितकर हो, जिससे मेरा भी हित हो, वह कार्य आपलोग करें। मैं शचीको कदापि नहीं दूँगा
asyā hitaṁ bhaved yac ca mama cāpi hitaṁ bhavet | kriyatāṁ tat suraśreṣṭhā na hi dāsyāmy ahaṁ śacīm ||
হে দেৱশ্ৰেষ্ঠসকল! যি কাৰ্য তেওঁৰ মঙ্গল সাধন কৰে আৰু মোৰো মঙ্গল হয়, সেই ব্যৱস্থাই আপোনালোক কৰক। মই শচীক কেতিয়াও নেদিম।
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The speaker frames decision-making in terms of hita (welfare) for all concerned, yet asserts a firm ethical boundary: certain persons or relationships are not to be treated as transferable objects, even under pressure from powerful authorities.
Addressing the ‘best of the gods,’ the speaker urges them to undertake whatever action will secure mutual welfare, but declares an uncompromising refusal to hand over Śacī.