Devi Bhagavatam 4.21.18 — Devi as Supreme Shakti, Skandha 4, Adhyaya 21, Shloka 18
The Description of the Killing of Devaki's First Son by Kamsa
न तत्र दूषणं किञ्चित्पवदन्ति मनीषिणः । वसुदेव उवाच निशामय महाभागे सत्यमेतद् ब्रवीमि ते
na tatra dūṣaṇaṃ kiñcitpavadanti manīṣiṇaḥ | vasudeva uvāca - niśāmaya mahābhāge satyametad bravīmi te
«...sagen die Weisen, dass darin kein Fehler liegt.' Vasudeva sagte: 'Höre, o Hochbeglückte, ich sage dir die Wahrheit.'»
Devaki, then Vasudeva
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Narrator: Vasudeva
Listener: Devaki
Dialogue Context: Vasudeva responding to Devaki, reassuring her and preparing to impart wisdom.
Narrative Layer: embedded
Text: None
Text: Sets up the counter-argument. While Devaki argues from the standpoint of immediate worldly ethics (Niti/Apad Dharma), Vasudeva will argue from the standpoint of cosmic law (Rta/Karma).
FAQs
According to Devaki, the wise (manishinah) declare that there is no fault or sin in telling a lie if it is done desiring good, such as saving a life.
Vasudeva asks her to listen carefully, preparing to explain the deeper, unalterable truth about karma and destiny.
Ask anything about this verse
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