Shloka 20

Adhyaya 45: Rudra as Sarvatma—Seven Lokas, Seven Talas, and the Cosmic Body of Shiva

Devanagari script

वितलं चात्र विख्यातं कम्बलाश्वनिषेवितम् महाकुम्भेन वीरेण हयग्रीवेण धीमता

Transliteration

vitalaṃ cātra vikhyātaṃ kambalāśvaniṣevitam mahākumbhena vīreṇa hayagrīveṇa dhīmatā

Translation

Here too, the realm famed as Vitala is well known—frequented by Kambala and Aśva—and it is ruled by the heroic and wise Hayagrīva, the mighty Mahākumbha.

Word by Word

• vitalam: Vitala (a netherworld region)

• ca: and

• atra: here/in this context

• vikhyātam: renowned, well-known

• kambala-aśva-niṣevitam: inhabited/frequented by Kambala and Aśva

• mahā-kumbhena: by the great Kumbha (mighty one)

• vīreṇa: by the hero/valiant one

• hayagrīveṇa: by Hayagrīva (horse-necked being/name)

• dhīmatā: by the intelligent/wise one

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Suta Goswami
• Vitala
• Kambala
• Aśva
• Hayagrīva
• Mahākumbha

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

By situating Vitala within the ordered cosmos, the verse supports a Shaiva view that all realms—high or low—remain within the governance of Pati (Shiva), and thus every place can be sanctified through Linga-smaraṇa and worship.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Indirectly, it points to Shiva-tattva as transcendent to cosmic ranks: rulers and beings preside over regions like Vitala, yet the entire structure is contained within the greater order upheld by the Supreme Pati, who alone liberates the pashu from pāśa.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is prescribed in this verse; the key yogic takeaway is dhī (disciplined intelligence)—a Pāśupata-aligned emphasis that steady discernment is essential for moving beyond bondage, regardless of one’s loka or condition.