Śiva-stavarāja: Upamanyu’s Preface and Initiation of the Śarva-Nāma Enumeration
Anuśāsana-parva 17
स्नेहनो<स्नेहनश्वैव अजितश्न महामुनि: । वृक्षाकारो वृक्षकेतुरनलो वायुवाहन:
snehano ’snehanaś caiva ajitaśna mahāmuniḥ | vṛkṣākāro vṛkṣaketuranalo vāyuvāhanaḥ ||
वायुदेव म्हणाले— तो स्नेह करणारा ही आहे आणि आसक्तिरहितही; अजेय आत्मसंयमाचा महामुनी आहे. तो वृक्षाकार—संसारवृक्षस्वरूप; वृक्षासारखा उंच ध्वज धारण करणारा; तो अनल—अग्निस्वरूप; आणि वायूला आपले वाहन करणारा आहे.
वायुदेव उवाच
The verse upholds an ethical ideal of balanced conduct: be warmly protective and beneficent toward others (snehanaḥ) while remaining inwardly free from attachment (asnehanaḥ). True greatness is shown as unconquerable self-discipline (ajitaśna) combined with compassionate responsibility.
Vāyu-deva is speaking in praise, listing epithets that describe an exalted being’s qualities and powers—affectionate yet detached, a great contemplative, possessing cosmic/tree symbolism, fiery energy, and wind-borne movement—typical of Mahābhārata’s laudatory catalogues of divine or heroic attributes.