Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 188
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
न नाकपृष्ठं न च देवराज्यं न ब्रह्मलोक॑ न च निष्कलत्वम् | न सर्वकामानखिलान् वृणोमि हरस्य दासत्वमहं वृणोमि
na nākapṛṣṭhaṁ na ca devarājyaṁ na brahmalokaṁ na ca niṣkalatvam | na sarvakāmān akhilān vṛṇomi harasya dāsatvam ahaṁ vṛṇomi ||
Vāsudeva declares: “I seek neither heaven, nor kingship among the gods, nor Brahmā’s world, nor even the formless state of liberation. Nor do I choose the fulfillment of all worldly desires. I choose only this: to be a servant of Hara (Śiva).”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the highest aspiration is not reward—neither heavenly enjoyment, divine power, nor even abstract liberation—but wholehearted devotion expressed as humble service to the Lord (here, Śiva as Hara). It elevates selfless bhakti above desire-driven goals.
Vāsudeva speaks in praise of Śiva-devotion, stating his personal vow-like preference: he rejects a spectrum of exalted attainments (heaven, godly sovereignty, Brahmā’s realm, formless liberation, and total wish-fulfillment) and chooses only dāsatva—servant-like dedication to Hara.