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 ||
Wika ni Vāyu-deva: “Siya’y napapaligiran ng kanyang mga gaṇa (mga tagapaglingkod), at siya rin ang tagapagbuo at tagapag-ayos ng mga gaṇa, na isinasama ang mga deboto sa kanyang sariling hanay. Para sa pagwasak sa Tripura, ginawa pa niyang karwaheng-mamaneho si Brahmā—na nagtataguyod ng kapakanan ng lahat ng nilalang. Siya’y nahihiga sa banal na abo, nagtatanggol sa pamamagitan ng abo, at siya mismo’y may likas na abo; siya’y tulad ng punong tumutupad ng hiling, at napapaligiran ng mga kasama gaya nina Bhṛṅgiriṭi at Nandikeśvara.”
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.