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 ||
વાયુદેવે કહ્યું—તે ગજરূপ શત્રુનો સંહારક, દૈત્યહંતક; અને સ્વયં કાળ છે. તે લોકોને ધારણ-પોષણ કરનાર, સદ્ગુણોની ખાણ છે. સિંહ અને વ્યાઘ્રરૂપ ધારણ કરીને, તે ગજાસુરની હજુ ભીની ચામડીને જ વસ્ત્ર બનાવી ઓઢે છે.
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.