Shloka 96
मनुष्यान् शिवमन्विच्छंस्तस्मादेष शिव: स्मृत: । अथवा उनकी जटाका रूप धूम्र वर्णका है
manuṣyān śivam anvicchan tasmād eṣa śivaḥ smṛtaḥ |
वायुरुवाच—मनुष्याणां शिवमन्विच्छन् तस्मादेष शिवः स्मृतः। धूम्रवर्णजटाधारित्वाद् धूर्जटिरिति च कथ्यते; सर्वकर्मभिः सर्वेषां उन्नतिं विधत्ते, सर्वेषां हितमेवाभिप्रैति, तस्मादस्य नाम शिव इति युक्तम्।
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse grounds Śiva’s very name in ethical meaning: he is called ‘Śiva’ because he actively seeks the welfare and uplift of human beings and intends the good of all.
Vāyu is explaining the significance of Śiva’s epithets—why he is known as ‘Śiva’ (beneficent) and, by traditional description, as ‘Dhūrjaṭi’ due to the smoke-hued appearance of his matted locks—linking divine names to qualities and beneficent action.