Shloka 95
Śiva-stavarāja: Upamanyu’s Preface and Initiation of the Śarva-Nāma Enumeration
Anuśāsana-parva 17
सगणो गणकारश्न भूतवाहनसारथि: । भस्मशयो भस्मगोप्ता भस्मभूतस्तरुर्गण:
sagaṇo gaṇakāraś ca bhūtavāhanasārathiḥ | bhasmaśayo bhasmagoptā bhasmabhūtas tarur gaṇaḥ ||
वायुदेव उवाच—सगणो गणकारश्च भूतवाहनसारथिः। भस्मशयो भस्मगोप्ता भस्मभूतस्तरुर्गणैः परिवृतः॥
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents Śiva as the ideal of austere purity (ash as symbol of renunciation) and as a powerful protector of devotees. Ethically, it links self-restraint and devotion with inner security and divine shelter, suggesting that true protection arises from purity, detachment, and alignment with dharma.
Vāyu is reciting a praise-list of Śiva’s names and attributes. The epithets highlight Śiva’s gaṇas (attendants), his capacity to incorporate devotees into his retinue, and a mythic allusion to the destruction of Tripura where Brahmā is described (in traditional interpretation) as serving as Śiva’s charioteer.