Shloka 10
Śiva Grants the Pāśupata Astra (Pāśupata-Śastra Upadeśa) | शिवेन पाशुपतास्त्रदानम्
दण्डपाणिरचिन्त्यात्मा सर्वभूतविनाशकृत् । वैवस्वतो धर्मराजो विमानेनावभासयन्,उनके हाथमें दण्ड शोभा पा रहा था। सम्पूर्ण भूतोंका विनाश करनेवाले अचिन्त्यात्मा सूर्यपुत्र धर्मराज अपने (तेजस्वी) विमानसे तीनों लोकों, गुह्यकों, गन्धर्वों तथा नागोंको प्रकाशित कर रहे थे। प्रलयकाल उपस्थित होनेपर दिखायी देनेवाले द्वितीय सूर्यकी भाँति उनकी अद्भुत शोभा हो रही थी
daṇḍapāṇir acintyātmā sarvabhūtavināśakṛt | vaivasvato dharmarājo vimānenāvabhāsayan ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: With a staff in his hand, of inconceivable nature and the agent of the destruction of all beings, Vaivasvata—Yama, the King of Dharma—shone forth from his celestial chariot, illuminating all around. His wondrous splendor was like that of a second sun appearing at the time of cosmic dissolution, a vision that underscores the inevitability of moral order and the inescapable reach of death’s justice.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents Yama/Dharmarāja as the embodiment of moral law and inevitable consequence: his radiance and the staff of punishment symbolize that dharma ultimately governs all beings, and death is not random but aligned with cosmic order and accountability.
Vaiśaṃpāyana describes the awe-inspiring appearance of Vaivasvata (Yama), holding his staff and riding a celestial vimāna, shining like a second sun at dissolution—an entrance meant to convey overwhelming authority and the inescapable presence of judgment.