Bhagīratha Brings Gaṅgā; Saudāsa’s Curse; Khaṭvāṅga’s Instant Renunciation
धारयिष्यति ते वेगं रुद्रस्त्वात्मा शरीरिणाम् । यस्मिन्नोतमिदं प्रोतं विश्वं शाटीव तन्तुषु ॥ ७ ॥
dhārayiṣyati te vegaṁ rudras tv ātmā śarīriṇām yasminn otam idaṁ protaṁ viśvaṁ śāṭīva tantuṣu
Rudra soutiendra ton élan; il est l’Âme intérieure des êtres incarnés. Comme une étoffe tissée de fils en longueur et en largeur, tout l’univers est entrelacé dans les puissances du Seigneur Suprême; ainsi Śiva peut porter tes vagues impétueuses sur sa tête.
The water of the Ganges is supposed to rest on the head of Lord Śiva. Lord Śiva is an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who sustains the entire universe by different potencies. Lord Śiva is described in the Brahma-saṁhitā (5.45) :
This verse states that Rudra is the ātmā (indwelling self) of embodied beings and that the universe is woven into him, highlighting his cosmic, all-pervading role.
It means the cosmos is supported and structured upon a fundamental spiritual principle—here identified with Rudra—just as fabric depends on threads for its existence and form.
Seeing a divine inner presence sustaining all life can cultivate humility, self-restraint, and reverence—reducing ego-driven actions and increasing responsible conduct.