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 ||
Vāyu-deva dit : «Il est entouré de ses troupes (gaṇa) et il est aussi celui qui les façonne et les ordonne, attirant les dévots dans son propre cortège. Pour la destruction de Tripura, il fit même servir Brahmā—qui veille au bien-être de tous les êtres—comme son cocher. Il repose sur la cendre sacrée, protège par la cendre, est de la nature de la cendre, et ressemble à un arbre qui exauce les vœux ; des serviteurs tels que Bhṛṅgiriṭi et Nandikeśvara l’entourent.»
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.