Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
सत्यं सत्यं हि नः शक्र वाक्यमेतत् सुनिश्चितम् | न यन्महे श्वरं मुक्त्वा कथान्या मम रोचते
satyaṁ satyaṁ hi naḥ śakra vākyam etat su-niścitam | na yan maheśvaraṁ muktvā kathānyā mama rocate ||
« Ô Śakra (Indra), cette parole de nous est vraie—vraie en vérité—et fermement arrêtée. En dehors de Maheśvara (Śiva), nul autre sujet ni discours ne m’apporte de joie. »
वासुदेव उवाच
The verse underscores unwavering devotion and single-pointed reverence: Vāsudeva affirms with emphatic truthfulness that nothing pleases him more than discourse centered on Maheśvara (Śiva). Ethically, it models steadiness of conviction (su-niścaya) and sincerity in speech (satya).
Vāsudeva addresses Śakra (Indra) and solemnly confirms that his words are certainly true. He declares that, except for Maheśvara, no other subject appeals to him—framing the moment as a devotional affirmation within a broader context of honoring Śiva.