Shloka 7
Ahaṅkāra-Tripartition and the Rise of Indriyas, Devatās, and Cosmic Administrators
वैकारिकस्थितो रुद्रो वैकारिक इति स्मृतः / तामसे तु स्थितो रुद्रस्तामसो ह्यभिधीयते
vaikārikasthito rudro vaikārika iti smṛtaḥ / tāmase tu sthito rudrastāmaso hyabhidhīyate
พระรุทระผู้สถิตในภาวะไวการีกะ (สัตตวะ) ย่อมระลึกนามว่า “ไวการีกะ”; ส่วนพระรุทระผู้สถิตในภาวะทามสะ ย่อมถูกเรียกว่า “ทามสะ”
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Rudra is termed according to the guṇa he abides in: vaikārika when in sattvic mode; tāmasa when in tamasic mode.
Vedantic Theme: Nāma-rūpa as functional designation: names correspond to operative conditions within prakṛti’s guṇas.
Application: Recognize how the same force (anger/drive/discipline) changes quality with guṇa; cultivate sattva so regulatory energy expresses as clarity rather than destructiveness.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana guṇa-based deity nomenclature passages (general parallel)
FAQs
This verse shows a guṇa-based taxonomy: the same divine principle (Rudra) is described through the lens of sattva (vaikārika) and tamas (tāmasa), helping readers understand how cosmic functions appear differently according to guṇas.
It indicates that divine forms are spoken of in relation to the dominant guṇa of their state or function—Rudra is termed “Vaikārika” when aligned with the sāttvika mode, and “Tāmasa” when aligned with the tamasic mode.
Use the teaching as a lens for self-assessment: cultivate sāttvika qualities (clarity, restraint, purity) to align with constructive expression, and recognize tamasic tendencies (inertia, confusion) as states to be reduced through disciplined living and mindful practice.