Shloka 46
नमोस्तु बहुरूपाय नमोस्तु बहुधन्विने । नमोअस्तु स्थाणवे नित्यं नमस्तस्मै तपस्विने,अनेक रूपधारी शिवको नमस्कार है, बहुत-से धनुष धारण करनेवाले रुद्रदेवको नमस्कार है, आप स्थाणुरूप हैं, आपको नमस्कार है, उन तपस्वी शिवको नित्य नमस्कार है
namostu bahurūpāya namostu bahudhanvine | namo 'stu sthāṇave nityaṃ namas tasmai tapasmine ||
Vyāsa offers a reverent hymn to Śiva: salutations to the Lord of many forms, salutations to the wielder of many bows, salutations always to the immovable and steadfast One (Sthāṇu), and salutations to that ever-austere ascetic. In the war-torn narrative, this praise frames Śiva as both the supreme yogin and the formidable divine power behind martial might—reminding the listener that strength and victory are ultimately subordinate to disciplined tapas and unwavering steadiness.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches reverence for Śiva as the source of both spiritual discipline (tapas) and formidable power. Ethically, it suggests that true strength is grounded in austerity, steadiness, and devotion, not merely in weapons or aggression.
Vyāsa is reciting a hymn of salutations to Śiva (Rudra), invoking his many forms and martial capacity (many bows) while also emphasizing his ascetic, immovable nature. The stuti functions as a devotional and interpretive frame within the war narrative.