Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 138
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
कृतवान् यानि रूपाणि कथितानि दिवौकसै:
kṛtavān yāni rūpāṇi kathitāni divaukasaḥ | vatsa! brāhmaṇānām anugrahārthaṃ devair yāni yāni rūpāṇi gṛhītāni, tāni saṅkṣepataḥ śṛṇu | vatsa! tvaṃ mattaḥ yat kiñcid pṛcchasi, tāḥ sarvāḥ kathāḥ ahaṃ te vakṣyāmi ||
Wika ni Vāsudeva: “Mahal kong anak, pakinggan mo nang maikli ang iba’t ibang anyong isinalaysay ng mga diyos—mga anyong tinaglay upang magpakita ng pabor sa mga brāhmaṇa. Anuman ang itinatanong mo sa akin, sasabihin ko sa iyo ang lahat.”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes reverence and benevolence toward brāhmaṇas as a dharmic priority, presenting divine ‘forms’ and interventions as motivated by anugraha (grace) and protection of those who uphold sacred learning and ritual order.
Vāsudeva addresses the listener affectionately as ‘vatsa,’ promising a concise account of the various forms described by the gods and assuring that he will answer fully whatever questions are being asked.