Shloka 3
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 13: Śacī’s Delay, Deva-Counsel, and Indra’s Purification
प्रावेपत भयोद्धिग्ना प्रवाते कदली यथा । प्रणम्य सा हि ब्रह्माणं शिरसा तु कृताञज्जलि:,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
prāvepata bhayoddignā pravāte kadalī yathā | praṇamya sā hi brahmāṇaṃ śirasā tu kṛtāñjalī ||
Aterrorizada e abalada, ela tremeu como uma bananeira sob vento forte. Com a cabeça curvada e as mãos postas, prestou homenagem a Brahmā; e então, ainda temerosa, dirigiu-se a Nahuṣa com as palmas unidas, pedindo um breve respiro.
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
When confronted by intimidating power, the text highlights an ethical posture of humility, restraint, and seeking lawful/time-bound relief rather than rash retaliation; it also implicitly critiques coercion by showing the fear it produces in the innocent.
Śacī, frightened by Nahūṣa’s threatening presence, trembles like a banana plant in the wind. She bows to Brahmā with folded hands and then addresses Nahūṣa respectfully, asking for a short period of time (a respite).