Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 181
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
जन्म श्व॒पाकम ध्ये5पि मे5स्तु हरचरणवन्दनरतस्य । मा वानीश्वरभक्तो भवानि भवने5पि शक्रस्य
janma śvapākam adyāpi me 'stu hara-caraṇa-vandana-ratasya | mā vāniśvara-bhakto bhavāni bhavane 'pi śakrasya ||
Wika ni Vāsudeva: “Kahit ang aking kapanganakan ay mapunta sa mga itinakwil, hayaan na—kung ako’y mananatiling tapat sa pagsamba at mapitagang pagyukod sa mga paa ni Hara. Ngunit nawa’y huwag akong mawalan ng debosyon sa Panginoon; hindi ko ninanais manirahan kahit sa palasyo ni Indra kung ito’y walang bukod-tanging debosyon kay Śiva.”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
True spiritual worth lies in unwavering devotion to the Lord (here, Śiva), not in social rank or heavenly privilege. Even the lowest birth is acceptable if it supports sincere worship, while the highest worldly or celestial status is undesirable without devotion.
Vāsudeva expresses a value-judgment: he prefers any condition of life—even an outcaste birth—so long as he can remain absorbed in venerating Śiva’s feet, and he rejects even Indra’s palace if it would mean living without single-minded devotion.