Shloka 16
Brahmopadeśa: Adhipatitva-kathana, Dharma-lakṣaṇa, and Kṣetra–Kṣetrajña Viveka
Book 14, Chapter 43
उमां देवीं विजानी ध्वं नारीणामुत्तमां शुभाम् । रतीनां वसुमत्यस्तु स्त्रीणामप्सरसस्तथा
umāṃ devīṃ vijānīdhvaṃ nārīṇām uttamāṃ śubhām | ratīnāṃ vasumatyas tu strīṇām apsarasas tathā ||
风神伐由说道：“当识乌玛女神（Umā-devī）——吉祥而为女子之中至上者。至于作为欢娱之所缘的女子，则以富丽装饰的天女阿普萨拉（Apsaras）为首。”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse establishes a hierarchy of ideals: Umā is presented as the supreme, auspicious model among women in a sacred-ethical sense, while Apsarases are acknowledged as foremost in worldly allure and pleasure. The implied teaching is to distinguish spiritual excellence (śubha, divine auspiciousness) from mere sensual attraction (rati).
Vāyu speaks to his audience, instructing them to recognize Umā (Pārvatī) as the highest among women and, in a separate category of pleasurable companionship, to regard the Apsarases as preeminent. The statement functions as a didactic classification within the discourse.