Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

अधस्तादत्र चैतेषां द्विजाः सप्त तलानि तु महातलादयस्तेषां अधस्तान्नरकाः क्रमात्

Transliteration

adhastādatra caiteṣāṃ dvijāḥ sapta talāni tu mahātalādayasteṣāṃ adhastānnarakāḥ kramāt

Translation

O twice-born ones, below these realms are the seven subterranean regions beginning with Mahātala; and beneath them, in due order, lie the hells. Thus the cosmos is arranged by gradation—so that the bound souls (paśu) experience the fruits of their karma under the governance of the Lord (Pati).

Word by Word

• अधस्तात्: below

• अत्र: here/in this cosmological account

• च: and

• एतेषाम्: of these (worlds/regions)

• द्विजाः: O twice-born (brāhmaṇas)

• सप्त: seven

• तलानि: tala-worlds/subterranean regions

• तु: indeed

• महातलादयः: beginning with Mahātala (and the rest)

• तेषाम्: of them

• अधस्तात्: beneath

• नरकाः: hells/places of torment

• क्रमात्: in sequence/in proper order

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It frames Linga worship within cosmic law: devotion to Pati (Shiva) and right conduct help the paśu avoid downward karmic destinies symbolized by the tala-worlds and narakas.

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

Shiva-tattva is implied as the supreme governor of order: the stratified worlds and hells function as karmic mechanisms under Pati, who administers justice while remaining transcendent.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No specific rite is named, but the takeaway aligns with Pāśupata discipline—purifying action and devotion to Shiva to cut pāśa (bondage) and avoid karmic descent.