Shloka 12

Sṛṣṭi–Pratisṛṣṭi: Viṣṇu as Kāla and the Ninefold Creation Schema

Devanagari script

रुद्ररूपी च कल्पान्ते जगत्संहरते ऽखिलम् / ब्रह्मा तु सृष्टिकाले ऽस्मिञ्जमध्यगतां महीम्

Transliteration

rudrarūpī ca kalpānte jagatsaṃharate 'khilam / brahmā tu sṛṣṭikāle 'smiñjamadhyagatāṃ mahīm

Translation

No fim de um kalpa, assumindo a forma de Rudra, Ele recolhe todo o universo; mas no tempo da criação, Brahmā volta a manifestar a terra, colocando-a no meio da ordem cósmica.

Word by Word

• रुद्ररूपी: having the form of Rudra
• रुद्ररूपी: Visheshana (Adjectival modifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रुद्र + रूपिन् (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (रुद्रस्य रूपी = having Rudra-form)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• कल्पान्ते: at the end of the aeon
• कल्पान्ते: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कल्पान्त (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (कल्पस्य अन्तः)

• जगत्: the world
• जगत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• संहरते: withdraws/destroys
• संहरते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + हृ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• अखिलम्: entire, all
• अखिलम्: Visheshana (Adjectival modifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अखिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (जगत् इति)

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā
• ब्रह्मा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तु: but
• तु: Discourse particle (Nipata/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विशेषार्थक-निपात (but/indeed)

• सृष्टिकाले: at the time of creation
• सृष्टिकाले: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सृष्टि + काल (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सृष्टेः कालः)

• अस्मिन्: in this
• अस्मिन्: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• जमध्यगताम्: situated in the middle of the waters (ja)
• जमध्यगताम्: Visheshana (Adjectival modifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज + मध्य + गत (प्रातिपदिक; समास/कृदन्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle) 'gone/placed'; तत्पुरुषः (जस्य मध्ये गता)

• महीम्: the earth
• महीम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मही (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The same divine governance alternates dissolution and re-creation; earth is re-positioned within cosmic order as a stage for karma and dharma.

Vedantic Theme: Cyclic cosmology (sṛṣṭi-sthiti-pralaya) under īśvara; stability arises from dhāraṇa (cosmic support) despite periodic dissolution.

Application: Hold a long view: rebuild after endings; treat the world as a field for responsible action, not as ultimate permanence.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic-cycle / earth-plane emergence

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.4.11 (withdrawal at end); Garuda Purana 1.4.9 (Brahmā’s creation)

Characters & Entities

• Rudra
• Brahma
• Earth (Mahi)

FAQs

What is the importance of Rudra at the end of a kalpa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that at kalpa’s end the Supreme operates as Rudra to dissolve the entire cosmos, emphasizing cyclical time and divine governance of dissolution.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it frames the soul’s journey within recurring cycles of creation and dissolution—individual life and afterlife unfold inside a larger cosmic order overseen by divine functions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Contemplate impermanence: worldly conditions change and end, so prioritize dharma, inner discipline, and spiritual aims over temporary gains.