Shloka 48
Śiva-stavarāja: Upamanyu’s Preface and Initiation of the Śarva-Nāma Enumeration
Anuśāsana-parva 17
गजहा दैत्यहा कालो लोकधाता गुणाकर: । सिंहशार्दूलरूपश्न आर्द्रचर्माम्बरावृत:
gajahā daityahā kālo lokadhātā guṇākaraḥ | siṁhaśārdūlarūpaś ca ārdracarmāmbarāvṛtaḥ ||
বায়ুদেৱে ক’লে—তেওঁ গজৰূপী শত্রুনাশক, দৈত্যহন্তা; আৰু তেওঁ নিজেই কাল। তেওঁ লোকসমূহ ধৰি-পোষণ কৰে, সৎগুণৰ ভঁৰাল। সিংহ আৰু ব্যাঘ্ৰৰূপ ধৰি, তেওঁ গজাসুৰৰ এতিয়াও সিক্ত চর্মকেই বস্ত্ৰ কৰি আৱৃত থাকে।
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises a divine figure as both protector and destroyer: he sustains the worlds (lokadhātā) yet is also Kāla (Time/Death). Ethically, it frames righteous power as multi-dimensional—fierce against adharma (daityahā) while fundamentally grounded in virtue (guṇākaraḥ) and cosmic maintenance.
Vāyu is describing and glorifying a formidable deity/hero through epithets: slayer of demon foes (including one associated with an elephant form), embodiment of Time, supporter of the worlds, and one who assumes lion/tiger forms. The striking image of being clothed in a fresh hide underscores the aftermath of a demon-slaying feat and the deity’s terrifying, protective aspect.