Shloka 149
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
अनेककटिपादश्न अनेकोदरवकक््त्रधृक् । अनेकपाणिपार्श्श्ष अनेकगणसंवृत:
aneka-kaṭi-pāda-śna anekodara-vaktra-dhṛk | aneka-pāṇi-pārśva aneka-gaṇa-saṁvṛtaḥ ||
Vāsudeva berkata: “Ia berwujud mahabanyak—pinggang dan kakinya banyak; ia memikul tak terhitung perut dan wajah. Tangan dan lambungnya pun tak terbilang, dan rombongan para gaṇa mengelilinginya dari segala penjuru.”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches reverent recognition of a reality that exceeds ordinary human categories: the divine or superhuman presence can manifest as countless forms and functions. Ethically, it redirects pride and fear away from mere physical might toward humility before the all-encompassing order (dharma) that sustains beings.
Vāsudeva describes an extraordinary figure with innumerable limbs, faces, and attendants, emphasizing its overwhelming, many-bodied nature. The description functions as a vivid portrayal meant to inspire awe and to frame the surrounding discourse in Anuśāsana Parva within a larger vision of cosmic power and moral order.