Shloka 90
Śiva-stavarāja: Upamanyu’s Preface and Initiation of the Śarva-Nāma Enumeration
Anuśāsana-parva 17
स्नेहनो<स्नेहनश्वैव अजितश्न महामुनि: । वृक्षाकारो वृक्षकेतुरनलो वायुवाहन:
snehano ’snehanaś caiva ajitaśna mahāmuniḥ | vṛkṣākāro vṛkṣaketuranalo vāyuvāhanaḥ ||
वायुदेव उवाच— स्नेहनोऽस्नेहनश्चैव अजितश्च महामुनिः। वृक्षाकारो वृक्षकेतुरनलो वायुवाहनः॥
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds an ethical ideal of balanced conduct: be warmly protective and beneficent toward others (snehanaḥ) while remaining inwardly free from attachment (asnehanaḥ). True greatness is shown as unconquerable self-discipline (ajitaśna) combined with compassionate responsibility.
Vāyu-deva is speaking in praise, listing epithets that describe an exalted being’s qualities and powers—affectionate yet detached, a great contemplative, possessing cosmic/tree symbolism, fiery energy, and wind-borne movement—typical of Mahābhārata’s laudatory catalogues of divine or heroic attributes.