Shloka 1

रक्तकल्पे वामदेवदर्शनं चतुर्कुमारोत्पत्तिः

Devanagari script

सूत उवाच ततस्त्रिंशत्तमः कल्पो रक्तो नाम प्रकीर्तितः ब्रह्मा यत्र महातेजा रक्तवर्णमधारयत्

Transliteration

sūta uvāca tatastriṃśattamaḥ kalpo rakto nāma prakīrtitaḥ brahmā yatra mahātejā raktavarṇamadhārayat

Translation

സൂതൻ പറഞ്ഞു—അതിനുശേഷം മുപ്പതാമത്തെ കല്പം ‘രക്ത’ എന്നു പ്രസിദ്ധമായി; അതിൽ മഹാതേജസ്സുള്ള ബ്രഹ്മാവ് രക്തവർണം ധരിച്ചു.

Word by Word

• सूत उवाच: Sūta said

• ततः: thereafter

• त्रिंशत्तमः: thirtieth

• कल्पः: aeon/kalpa

• रक्तः नाम: named ‘Rakta’

• प्रकीर्तितः: is declared/proclaimed

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā

• यत्र: in which/wherein

• महातेजाः: of great splendor

• रक्तवर्णम्: red color/red complexion

• अधारयत्: assumed/wore

Speaker

Suta

Characters & Entities

• Suta
• Brahma

FAQs

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

It frames the cosmic background (kalpa-setting) in which Linga-tattva is later revealed: creation proceeds through guṇas, yet remains under the sovereignty of Pati (Śiva), the ultimate ground of worship.

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

Though Śiva is not named here, the verse implies the Shaiva view that even Brahmā’s creative function and guṇa-coloration (red/rajas) operate within a higher lordship—Pati, the transcendent regulator beyond the guṇas.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

No direct pūjā-vidhi is taught in this line; the takeaway is contemplative: a yogin should discern guṇa-driven creation (rajas) and seek refuge in Pati through Pāśupata-oriented detachment from guṇa-identification.