Shloka 28
Śiva-stavarāja: Upamanyu’s Preface and Initiation of the Śarva-Nāma Enumeration
Anuśāsana-parva 17
यज्ञानामपि यो यज्ञ: शिवानामपि य:ः शिव: । रुद्राणामपि यो रुद्र: प्रभा प्रभवतामपि
yajñānām api yo yajñaḥ śivānām api yaḥ śivaḥ | rudrāṇām api yo rudraḥ prabhā prabhavatām api ||
वायुरुवाच— यज्ञानामपि यो यज्ञः शिवानामपि यः शिवः । रुद्राणामपि यो रुद्रः प्रभा प्रभवतामपि ॥ यस्माल्लोकाः सम्भवन्ति यस्मिंश्चैव प्रलीयन्ते, यः सर्वभूतात्मा स अमिततेजाः शिवः। तस्य नाम्नामष्टोत्तरं सहस्रं मत्तः शृणु, पुरुषसिंह। श्रवणमात्रेण सर्वान् कामानवाप्स्यसि।
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents Śiva as the supreme principle present at the summit of every category—sacrifice, auspiciousness, divine power, and radiance—implying that devotion and remembrance of Śiva (here, through hearing his names) is a direct means to spiritual and worldly fulfillment.
Vāyu is speaking in praise of Śiva, identifying him as the highest reality and announcing the forthcoming recitation of Śiva’s 1008 names, promising that mere hearing of this hymn grants the listener the attainment of desired aims.