Shloka 14
Adhyāya 12: Devas’ Petition to Nahūṣa; Bṛhaspati on Śaraṇāgata-Dharma; Indrāṇī’s Strategic Delay
एवमुक्ता तु सा देवी बाष्पमुत्सूज्य सस्वनम् । उवाच रुदती दीना बृहस्पतिमिदं वच:
evamuktā tu sā devī bāṣpam utsṛjya sasvanam | uvāca rudatī dīnā bṛhaspatim idaṁ vacaḥ ||
When the gods had spoken thus, the goddess Śacī, overcome with grief, let her tears fall with audible sobs. Weeping and humbled by distress, she addressed Bṛhaspati and spoke these words—
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical impulse to seek wise counsel in moments of crisis: intense emotion is acknowledged, yet the next step is to approach a trusted guide (Bṛhaspati) for dharmic direction rather than acting rashly.
After the gods speak, Śacī becomes overwhelmed, sheds tears with audible sobbing, and—while crying and distressed—turns to Bṛhaspati to address him with a forthcoming request or argument.