Shloka 25

Kāraṇa-vyākhyā: Cosmic Agents, Rudra-Forms, Sense-Purity, and Ānanda-Tāratamya

Devanagari script

अतो रुद्रो वामदेवेति संज्ञा मवाप शिष्टत्वमथोत्तमत्वम् / कालात्मकत्वं च बलात्मकत्वमवाप रुद्रो न तु सुंदरत्वतः

Transliteration

ato rudro vāmadeveti saṃjñā mavāpa śiṣṭatvamathottamatvam / kālātmakatvaṃ ca balātmakatvamavāpa rudro na tu suṃdaratvataḥ

Translation

Daher erlangte Rudra die Bezeichnung „Vāmadeva“; er erreichte Verehrungswürdigkeit und höchste Vorzüglichkeit. Rudra gewann die Wesensart der Zeit und die Wesensart der Kraft — doch nicht aufgrund bloßer körperlicher Schönheit.

Word by Word

• ataḥ: therefore/from that
• ataḥ: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), हेत्वर्थे/तस्मात्-अर्थे (ablatival sense: 'therefore/from that')

• rudraḥ: Rudra
• rudraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rudra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative, 1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• vāmadeva-iti: as 'Vāmadeva'
• vāmadeva-iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vāmadeva (प्रातिपदिक) + iti (अव्यय)
• Form: इति (quotative particle, अव्यय) — नामनिर्देशे (as a label/quotation)

• saṃjñām: designation/name
• saṃjñām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃjñā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• avāpa: obtained/received
• avāpa: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √āp (आप्, धातु) उपसर्ग: ava-
• Form: लिट्/परस्मैपद-रूप (Perfect-like narrative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• śiṣṭatvam: refined/learned status
• śiṣṭatvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiṣṭatva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• atha: then/also
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अनन्तरार्थे/समुच्चये (then/also)

• uttamatvam: supremacy/excellence
• uttamatvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: uttamatva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• kāla-ātmakatvam: being of the nature of Time
• kāla-ātmakatvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāla (प्रातिपदिक) + ātmakatva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative): 'kālasya ātmakatvam'

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय (conjunction)

• bala-ātmakatvam: being of the nature of strength
• bala-ātmakatvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bala (प्रातिपदिक) + ātmakatva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'balasya ātmakatvam'

• avāpa: obtained
• avāpa: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √āp (आप्, धातु) उपसर्ग: ava-
• Form: लिट्/परस्मैपद-रूप (Perfect-like narrative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• rudraḥ: Rudra
• rudraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rudra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, निषेध (negation particle)

• tu: but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, विरोध/विशेष (but/however)

• sundaratvataḥ: from/with regard to beauty
• sundaratvataḥ: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sundaratva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), पञ्चमी (Ablative, 5th), एकवचन (Singular) — हेतौ/अपादाने (from/with respect to)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: True excellence is grounded in cosmic function (time, strength, authority) and reverence, not in external beauty; names signify attributes and roles.

Vedantic Theme: Viveka (discernment) between appearance and essence; kāla as a manifestation of īśvara’s power governing change.

Application: Value character, discipline, and responsibility over appearance; contemplate impermanence (kāla) to reduce vanity and attachment.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (general): teachings on impermanence/time and the superiority of inner virtue over outer form (thematic)

Characters & Entities

• Rudra
• Vamadeva
• Kala (Time)

FAQs

What is the importance of the name Vāmadeva in the Garuda Purana?

In this verse, “Vāmadeva” marks Rudra’s honored stature and excellence, emphasizing inner divine qualities—Time (kāla) and Power (bala)—rather than outer appearance.

How does this verse explain the basis of spiritual greatness?

It states that Rudra’s eminence comes from embodying cosmic principles like Time and Strength and being revered by the wise, not from mere physical beauty.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize character, discipline, and meaningful capability over superficial appearance; seek respect through integrity and real strength rather than display.