03 May 2023
[Smt. Priyanka asked: Padanamaskaram Swami, I recently came across Rudra Shiva Stotram and noticed that the last few names of Lord Shiva among the 25 names mentioned have the same names as the worlds below Bhuloka (Atala Rudraya, Vitala Rudraya, Sutala Rudraya, Talatala Rudraya, Rasatala Rudraya, Mahatala Rudraya, Patala Rudraya). Can You please explain what it signifies? At Your divine lotus feet, Priyanka]
Swami replied:- There is one point in Sanskrit grammar, which says that Prathamaavibhakti (subjective case) has two meanings. Ex.:- Rama is king, which means that Rama and king are identified as one (Taadaatmya Prathamaa). The second meaning is when an item is under the control of another item (Tadadhiina Prathamaa). In this second meaning, we have to take the above case mentioned by you. Ex.:- Rama is the East boundary. This does not mean that the property of Rama present on the East boundary is Rama himself. It means that the property present on the East boundary is under the control of Rama and Rama is the owner of that property. Similarly, when Rudra is told to be Bhuuloka, it means that Bhuuloka is controlled by God Rudra and hence, God Rudra is the owner of Bhuuloka. Another example is that the Veda says that all this creation is God (Sarvaṃ khalvidaṃ Brahma) and this means that all the creation is under the control of God.
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