Shloka 89

Śiva-stavarāja: Upamanyu’s Preface and Initiation of the Śarva-Nāma Enumeration

Anuśāsana-parva 17

Devanagari script

महानखो महारोमा महाकोशो महाजट: । प्रसन्नश्ष प्रसादश्ष प्रत्ययो गिरिसाधन:

Transliteration

mahānakhō mahārōmā mahākōśō mahājaṭaḥ | prasannaś ca prasādaś ca pratyayo girisādhanaḥ ||

Translation

Thần Vāyu nói: “Ngài có móng vuốt hùng mạnh, lông thân dày rộng, bụng lớn, và búi tóc bện (jaṭā) đồ sộ; luôn an nhiên, là hiện thân của ân sủng; là nền tảng của tri kiến chắc thật; và là đấng có thể biến cả núi non thành khí cụ chiến trận.”

Word by Word

• महानखः: one who has great nails/claws
• महानखः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महानख
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• महारोमा: one who has great/abundant hair
• महारोमा: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महारोमन्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• महाकोशः: one with a great sheath/covering (lit. kośa)
• महाकोशः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाकोश
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• महाजटः: one with great matted locks
• महाजटः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाजट
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• प्रसन्नः: serene, pleased
• प्रसन्नः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रसन्न
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• प्रसादः: grace; clarity; favor
• प्रसादः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रसाद
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• प्रत्ययः: conviction; trust; cognition
• प्रत्ययः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रत्यय
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• गिरिसाधनः: one whose means/weapon is a mountain
• गिरिसाधनः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गिरिसाधन
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वायुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vāyu (Vāyudeva)
• Implied deity being praised (likely Viṣṇu/Nṛsiṃha/Varāha aspects)
• Mountain (giri)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches reverent contemplation of the Divine through descriptive epithets: the Lord is both awe-inspiring in power (mighty nails, mountain-as-weapon) and ethically elevating in character (serenity, grace, reliable knowledge). Devotion here is linked to inner clarity (prasāda) and firm understanding (pratyaya), not merely fear of strength.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vāyu-deva is praising the supreme deity by listing honorific names/qualities. The imagery blends cosmic might with auspicious inner qualities, presenting the Lord as a protector-warrior who can subdue chaos, while remaining the source of calm grace and trustworthy knowledge for devotees.