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 ||
那胡沙如此言说，女神舍支——守持夫妇贞节者——因恐惧而心神震荡，颤抖如狂风中摇曳的芭蕉。她低首礼敬梵天，继而合掌对目光可怖的天王那胡沙说道：“天主啊，愿赐我片刻时日。”
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.