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 ||
婆苏提婆曰：“爱子啊，你且略听诸天所述之种种形相——那是为施恩于婆罗门而示现的形相。凡你所问于我者，我皆当尽告于你。”
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.