Shloka 147
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
छागशार्दूलरूपश्न अनेकमृगरूपधृक् । अण्डजानां च दिव्यानां वपुर्धारयते भव:
chāgaśārdūlarūpaś ca anekamṛgarūpadhṛk | aṇḍajānāṃ ca divyānāṃ vapur dhārayate bhavaḥ ||
婆苏提婆说道：“婆伐（湿婆）能取无数身相——或现为山羊，或现为猛虎；亦能化作种种野兽，乃至化现为神妙天鸟之形。此教诲彰显主宰遍在而善变的临在，并劝人于生命的诸多显现中皆起敬畏与礼敬。”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that Śiva (Bhava) is not confined to a single appearance; he can manifest in countless embodied forms, even as animals and birds. Ethically, it supports a dharmic attitude of humility and reverence toward the diversity of living beings, seeing the divine presence permeating creation.
Vāsudeva is describing Śiva’s capacity to assume many forms. By listing animal and bird embodiments, he emphasizes Śiva’s vast, all-encompassing nature and the wondrous scope of divine manifestation.