Shloka 145
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
हंसकाकमयूराणां कृकलासकसारसाम् | रूपाणि च बलाकानां गृध्रचक्राज़््योरपि
haṃsakākamayūrāṇāṃ kṛkalāsakasārasām | rūpāṇi ca balākānāṃ gṛdhracakrājyor api ||
Vāsudeva berkata: “Mahādeva mengambil wujud angsa, gagak, merak, kadal, dan bangau; ia pun menjelma sebagai kuntul, burung nasar, dan burung cakravāka. Dengan demikian Sang Dewa menampakkan diri dalam tak terhitung bentuk makhluk hidup, menegaskan bahwa yang ilahi meresapi semua makhluk dan tiada satu pun berada di luar lingkup penghormatan.”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches divine immanence: Mahādeva is not confined to a single icon or realm but pervades living nature by assuming innumerable forms. Ethically, it supports a stance of humility and reverence toward all creatures, since the divine may be present in any being.
Vāsudeva is describing Mahādeva’s manifold manifestations, listing various birds and animals to emphasize Śiva’s all-pervading power and the breadth of his forms, as part of a broader praise/exposition of Mahādeva’s greatness in the Anuśāsana Parva.