Shloka 95
Śiva-stavarāja: Upamanyu’s Preface and Initiation of the Śarva-Nāma Enumeration
Anuśāsana-parva 17
सगणो गणकारश्न भूतवाहनसारथि: । भस्मशयो भस्मगोप्ता भस्मभूतस्तरुर्गण:
sagaṇo gaṇakāraś ca bhūtavāhanasārathiḥ | bhasmaśayo bhasmagoptā bhasmabhūtas tarur gaṇaḥ ||
Dijo Vāyu-deva: «Está acompañado por sus huestes (gaṇas) y es también quien las forma y ordena, incorporando a los devotos a su propio séquito. Para la destrucción de Tripura, incluso hizo que Brahmā—sostenedor del bienestar de todos los seres—sirviera como su auriga. Reposa sobre la ceniza sagrada, protege por medio de la ceniza, es de la naturaleza de la ceniza, y es como un árbol que concede deseos; lo rodean asistentes como Bhṛṅgiriṭi y Nandikeśvara».
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents Śiva as the ideal of austere purity (ash as symbol of renunciation) and as a powerful protector of devotees. Ethically, it links self-restraint and devotion with inner security and divine shelter, suggesting that true protection arises from purity, detachment, and alignment with dharma.
Vāyu is reciting a praise-list of Śiva’s names and attributes. The epithets highlight Śiva’s gaṇas (attendants), his capacity to incorporate devotees into his retinue, and a mythic allusion to the destruction of Tripura where Brahmā is described (in traditional interpretation) as serving as Śiva’s charioteer.