Shloka 153
रुद्र-स्तवराजः (Rudra-Stavarāja) — Exempla of Śiva’s Boons and the Hymn’s Phalaśruti
व्रताधिप: परं ब्रह्म भक्तानां परमा गति: । विमुक्तो मुक्ततेजाश्न श्रीमान् श्रीवर्धनी जगत्
vratādhipaḥ paraṁ brahma bhaktānāṁ paramā gatiḥ | vimukto muktatejāś ca śrīmān śrīvrdhanī jagat ||
Vāyu-deva sprach: „Er ist der Herr der Gelübde, das höchste Brahman; für die Verehrer ist er die erhabenste Zuflucht und das letzte Ziel. Ewig frei, entfesselt er gegen Feinde einen unwiderstehlichen Glanz; reich an göttlichem Gedeihen mehrt er das Glück seiner Anbeter, und er ist die Gestalt der Welt selbst.“
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents the deity being praised as the supreme spiritual reality (Brahman) and the ultimate destination for devotees, emphasizing that true refuge and liberation are found in the highest principle, which also governs ethical discipline (vows) and bestows prosperity and protection.
Vāyu-deva is delivering a hymn-like eulogy, listing epithets that describe the praised Lord’s cosmic status (as Brahman and the world), salvific role (highest goal for devotees), and active power (radiance that overcomes enemies and prosperity that increases devotees’ welfare).