Shloka 117
Śiva-stavarāja: Upamanyu’s Preface and Initiation of the Śarva-Nāma Enumeration
Anuśāsana-parva 17
गान्धारश्न सुवासश्न॒ तपःसक्तो रतिर्नर: । महागीतो महानृत्यो हाप्सरोगणसेवित:
gāndhāraś ca suvāsaś ca tapaḥ-sakto ratir naraḥ | mahāgīto mahānṛtyo 'psarogaṇa-sevitaḥ ||
Vāyu berkata: “Baginda ialah Gāndhāra dan juga Suvāsa; seorang yang tekun pada tapa, dan jelmaan kenikmatan itu sendiri. Baginda diagungkan dalam nyanyian suci dan termasyhur dengan tarian yang gagah, diiringi serta dilayani oleh rombongan Apsara.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links spiritual discipline (tapas) with refined, sacred expression (song and dance), portraying an exalted being whose greatness is affirmed by śāstra and whose presence harmonizes ascetic power with aesthetic and celestial splendor.
Vāyu is describing a revered figure through a chain of epithets—associating him with musical identity (Gāndhāra), a beautiful abode (Suvāsa), devotion to austerity, celebrated renown, powerful dance, and attendance by Apsarases—thereby elevating the subject’s stature and qualities.