रुद्राणां शङ्करश्चास्मि वित्तेशो यक्षरक्षसाम् । वसूनां पावकश्चास्मि मेरुः शिखरिणामहम् ॥
rudrāṇāṃ śaṅkaraścāsmi vitteśo yakṣarakṣasām | vasūnāṃ pāvakaścāsmi meruḥ śikhariṇāmaham ||
Translation
Among the Rudras, I am Shankara. Among the Yakshas and Rakshasas, I am Kubera. Among the Vasus, I am fire. Among mountains, I am Meru.
Interpretation
Among the eleven Rudras (storm/fire deities), the Divine is Shankara (Shiva — the beneficent, the auspicious). Among Yakshas (nature spirits) and Rakshasas (powerful beings), the Divine is Kubera — the lord of wealth and prosperity. Among the eight Vasus (elemental deities), the Divine is Pavaka (fire — the purifier). And among mountains, the Divine is Meru — the golden cosmic mountain at the center of the universe. In each category, the supreme, the most excellent representative.