Shloka 2
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 13: Śacī’s Delay, Deva-Counsel, and Indra’s Purification
एवमुक्ता तु सा देवी नहुषेण पतिव्रता,नहुषके ऐसा कहनेपर पतिव्रता देवी शची भयसे उद्विग्न हो तेज हवामें हिलनेवाले केलेके वृक्षकी भाँति काँपने लगीं। उन्होंने मस्तक झुकाकर ब्रह्माजीको प्रणाम किया और भयंकर दृष्टिवाले देवराज नहुषसे हाथ जोड़कर कहा--*देवेश्वर! मैं आपसे कुछ समयकी अवधि लेना चाहती हूँ
evamuktā tu sā devī nahuṣeṇa pativratā | bhayenodvignā śacī tejaḥ-pavane hilamāna-kadalī-vṛkṣavat kampamānā | śiraḥ praṇamya brahmāṇam ugra-dṛṣṭaye devarāja-nahuṣāya kṛtāñjalir uvāca—deveśvara, kāla-mātram icchāmi ||
ナフシャにそう告げられると、貞節を守る女神シャチーは恐怖に揺さぶられ、強風に震える芭蕉の木のように身を震わせた。彼女は頭を垂れてブラフマーに礼拝し、ついで合掌して、恐ろしい眼差しの天王ナフシャに言った。「神々の主よ、しばしの時をお与えください。」
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic self-control under pressure: Śacī’s pativratā integrity is preserved not by impulsive defiance but by respectful speech, seeking time, and appealing to higher authority—showing prudence as a means to protect righteousness when confronted by misuse of power.
Nahusha addresses Śacī in an intimidating manner. Śacī becomes fearful and trembles, yet she remains composed: she bows to Brahmā, then with folded hands speaks to Nahusha, requesting a short period of time—an intentional delay that sets up her next protective action in the story.