Shloka 144
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
व्याप्रसिंहमृगाणां च तरक्ष्वृक्षपतत्रिणाम् उलूकश्चशृगालानां रूपाणि कुरुतेडपि च,वे व्याप्र, सिंह, मृग, तरक्षु, रीछ, पक्षी, उल्लू, कुत्ते और सियारोंके भी रूप धारण कर लेते हैं
vyāghra-siṁha-mṛgāṇāṁ ca tarakṣv-ṛkṣa-patatriṇām | ulūka-śva-śṛgālānāṁ rūpāṇi kurute 'pi ca ||
Vāsudeva berkata: “Dia boleh mengambil rupa harimau, singa dan rusa; rupa dubuk, beruang dan burung; dan juga rupa burung hantu, anjing dan serigala hutan (jackal).”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
External appearance can be deliberately assumed and may mislead; therefore, ethical judgment should rest on conduct, intent, and adherence to dharma rather than on outward form.
Vāsudeva describes a being’s capacity to take on many animal forms—predators, scavengers, and birds—emphasizing the breadth of possible disguises and the need for discernment.