Shloka 14
Hari’s Special Mercy, Śiva’s Quick Boons, and the Deliverance from Vṛkāsura
वृको नामासुर: पुत्र: शकुने: पथि नारदम् । दृष्ट्वाशुतोषं पप्रच्छ देवेषु त्रिषु दुर्मति: ॥ १४ ॥
vṛko nāmāsuraḥ putraḥ śakuneḥ pathi nāradam dṛṣṭvāśu-toṣaṁ papraccha deveṣu triṣu durmatiḥ
The demon Vṛka, son of Śakuni, once met Nārada on the road. That wicked-minded one asked: among the three chief gods, who is pleased most quickly?
FAQs
Vṛka is an asura (demon), described here as the son of Śakuni, who meets Nārada on the road and inquires about the three principal deities.
Because he wanted guidance on which deity among the three is most easily pleased and thus most likely to grant boons—this verse introduces his inquiry that drives the later narrative.
Seek guidance with sincere motives: when desire is selfish or harmful, even spiritual information can be misused and lead to suffering.