अध्याय १६ — शङ्कर-उमा-वरदानम् तथा तण्डि-स्तुतिः (Śaṅkara–Umā Boon-Granting and Taṇḍi’s Hymn)
मृत्युर्यमो हुताशश्व॒ काल: संहारवेगवान् । कालस्य परमा योनि: कालक्षायं सनातन:,मृत्यु, यम, अग्नि, संहारके लिये वेगशशाली काल, कालके परम कारण तथा सनातन काल भी--ये महादेव ही हैं
mṛtyur yamo hutāśaś ca kālaḥ saṃhāravegavān | kālasya paramā yoniḥ kālakṣayaṃ sanātanaḥ ||
Vāyudeva bersabda: “Maut, Yama, dan Agni; Waktu yang perkasa meluru menuju peleburan; sumber tertinggi bagi Waktu; dan prinsip kekal tempat Waktu sendiri berakhir—semuanya itulah Mahādeva.”
वायुदेव उवाच
All seemingly separate cosmic powers—death, judgment (Yama), sacrificial fire (Agni), and destructive Time—are expressions of one supreme divinity, Mahādeva. Recognizing this supports dharmic humility and steadiness in the face of mortality and change.
Vāyudeva is speaking in praise of Mahādeva, identifying him with major cosmic forces. The statement functions as a theological clarification within Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-oriented discourse, emphasizing Śiva’s all-encompassing sovereignty.