Shloka 177
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
शक्रस्य तु वच: श्रुत्वा नाहं प्रीतमनाभवम् । अब्रुवंश्व तदा हृष्टो देवराजमिदं वच:
śakrasya tu vacaḥ śrutvā nāhaṃ prītamanābhavam | abruvaṃś ca tadā hṛṣṭo devarājam idaṃ vacaḥ ||
Hearing Śakra’s words, my heart did not become pleased. Yet, outwardly displaying joy, I then addressed the king of the gods with these words. The passage underscores a disciplined inner stance: one may maintain courteous composure before power, while remaining inwardly unattached and ethically vigilant about what is to be asked or accepted.
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Inner non-attachment and ethical discernment should guide one’s response to offers of power or boons; outward politeness need not imply inner consent or delight.
Indra (Śakra), pleased, offers a boon; Vāsudeva hears him but is not inwardly pleased, and nevertheless addresses Indra with composed, seemingly cheerful speech as he prepares to respond.