34 - The Region of Shiva and of the guardians of quarters

Agastya said: 

1. What is that Chakra (circle) with sixteen outer coverings and with Rudra as the presiding deity?¹ Who are the Rudras stationed there? By what name are they glorified? 

1. As this verse suggests, this chapter (main portion at least) describes the Chakra of sixteen Avaranas with Rudra (or Mahårudra) as the central, presiding deity. He is always alert with his bow. In the enclosing triangle are three Rudras viz. Hiranyabahu, Senani and Disham Pati. The names of Rudras in different Avarañas (sixteen in all) show the palpable influence of Shatarudriya from which they (i.e., the epithets) are borrowed and arranged around Mahårudra. The meanings of the names of different Rudras make it clear how the Rudra was given benevolent and malevolent epithets and as such the concept was complex in those times. Traditional duties of Trinity, of creation (Brahmä), maintenance (Vişhnu) and destruction (Rudra) arc a simplistic (and inadequate) presentation. 

These Rudras stay in the NE of the Pearl-chamber and protect the devotees of Lalită (vv.1-52) 

2. In which circular outer coverings and with which designation do they stay? O storehouse of mercy! Mention their names with their derivative as well as conventional meanings. 

Hayagriva said: 

3. There the abode of Rudra is said to be made out of cluster of pearls. It is rendered splendid. It is five Yojanas long and five Yojanas wide. 

4-6. It has sixteen outer coverings. It is very splendid and pleasing with a Pitha (stool, seat) in the middle. On that central Pitha, O sage, Mahărudra sits permanently, blazing with anger and having bow ready strung. He keeps his hand always over it. He has three eyes. In the Trikona¹ (Triangle and first covering) O Pot-born sage, three Rudras are mentioned (as seated), viz.: Hiranyabåhu, Senani and Diśhämpati. 

1. An analysis of the Maharudra Chakra shows the following distribution of Rudras: I Avarana, a triangle-3 Rudras posted; II Avarana, Hexagon 6 Rudras; III Octagon 8 Rudras; IV Decagon 10; A wheel (Chakra) with 16 spokes-16 Rudras. After this merely Avarana number and the names of Rudras posted there are given. In 16 Avaranas 258 Rudras are posted. 

My sources do not possess such a figure of Rudra Yantra. 

7-9a. The Rudras stationed in the hexagon are Vrukşhaḥ, Harikeśhåḥ, Pashupati, Shaşhpiñjara, Tvişhiman and Pathinampati. 

The Rudras in the octagon are Babhruśhāḥ, Vivyadhi, Annapati, Harikeśha-upavītin, Pușhțånámpati, Bhava and Heti. 

9b-11a. In the decagon the first one is Jagatâmpati the others arc Rudra, Atatávin, Kșhetrapati, Sūta, Ahammanya (Ahantya in N.), Vanapati, Rohita, Sthapati and Vrukşhånåmpati. These have kept their bows in readiness. 

11b-14a. In the Duodecagon (Twelve-sided figure) the Rudras are Mantri, Vånija, Kakshapati, Bhavanti, (is the fourth), Vägvibhu (is the fifth), Oşhadhinămpati, (is the sixth), Ucchairghoșha, Akrandayan, Patinámpati, Krutsnavita, Dhāva and Sattvånampati. This is the fifth outer covering. 

14b-15. The following should be known as the deities Rudras of the sixth outer covering. viz.: Sahamána, Nirvyådhi, Avyadhināmpati, Kakubha, Nişhangi, Stenånåmpati and Niceru*.

*These are seven and so the outer covering may be a heptagon.

16-19a. The following sixteen are the residents in the sixteen-spoked Chakra viz** Deity in the previous outer covering. The first is Parichara, Aranyapati, Srukävișha, Jighåmsantaḥ, Muşhņatāmpatayah, Asimantaḥ, (ashimantaḥ in N.), Suprajña, Naktañcaraḥ Prakrutinäm-pati, Uşhņişhi, Gireshcara, Kulunchanåmpati, Işhumantaḥ, Dhanvåvidaḥ, Atanvåna, Pratipūrva, Dadhånaka and Ayacchata (Ayacchantaḥ). 

**The text Adhah parivaro etc. should be adyah paricaro as in N. 

19b-22a. In the eighth outer covering there are eighteen sets of deities viz.: Visrujantaḥ (those who forsake), Asyantaḥ (those who throw), Vidhyantaḥ (those who pierce), Asinäḥ (those who are seated), Shayanāḥ (those who are lying down), Yantaḥ (those who go), Jágrataḥ (those who keep awake), Tişhthantaḥ (those who stand), Dhåvantaḥ (those who run), Sabhyāḥ, Samadhipăḥ, Aśhvāḥ, Aśhvapatayaḥ (Lords of horses), Avyādhinyaḥ (devoid of sickness), Vividhyantaḥ, Gaņådhyakşhåḥ, Bruhantaḥ (Big ones) and Grutsa (O suppressor of Vindhya mountain.) 

22b-24. The following Rudras are the deities of the ninth outer covering: - 

Grutsadhipatis, Vrātas, Vråtadhipas, Gaņas, Ganapas, Vishvarūpas, Virupakas, Mahantaḥ, Kșhullakas, Rathins, Arathas, Rathas, Rathapattyas, Senas, Senånis, Kşhattåras, Sangrahitrus, Takşhåņaḥ, Rathakäraka and Kulála (Various artisans are deified as Rudras). 

25-28. The following are the Rudras in the tenth outer covering viz.: Karmăras, Puñjişhthas, Nişhādas, Işhukrudgaņas, Dhanvakaras, Mrugayus, Shvanis, Shvånas, Aśhvas, Aśhvapatis, Bhava, Rudra, Sharva Pashupati, Nilagriva, Śhitikaņtha, Kapardi, Vyuptakeśha, Sahasraksha, Shatadhanvā, Girisha, Shipivishta, and Midhushtama. 

29-32a. The following twentyfour Rudras are mentioned as occupying the eleventh Chakra (outer covering): - Işhuman, Hrasva, Vāmana, Bruhan, Varşhīyan, Vruddha, Samruddhi, Agrya, Prathama, Aśhu, Ajira, Shighra, Shibhyaka, Urmyāvasu, Anyarudra Srotasya, Divya, Jyeșhtha, Kanişhtha, Pūrvaja, Avaraja, Madhyama Avagamya and Jaghanya. All of them are very mighty. 

32b-35. The following twentysix deities are remembered as stationed in the twelfth outer covering: 

Budhnya, Somyarudra, Pratisarpaka, Yamyaka Kshemya, Uvocava, Khali, Śhlokya, Avasānyaka, Vanya, Kakşhya, Śhrava, Pratiśhrava, Āśhușheņa, Aśhuratha, Shūra, Avabhinda, Varmi, Varuthi, Bilmi, Kavachi, Śhruta, Sena, Dundubhya, Ahananya and Dhrşhņu. They have huge bodies. They are very mighty. 

36-40a. Listen, O sage, the following are the Rudras stationed in the thirteenth outer covering: 

Prabhṛuśhas, Dūtas, Prahitas, Nişhangins, Işhudhimän, Yudhitakşhņeșhu, Sváyudha, Sudhanvă, Stutya, Pathya, Kapya, Nățya, Sūdha, Sarasya, Nádhamāna, Veśhantaḥ, Kupya (?) Avadhavarșhya, Avarșhya, Medhya, Vidyutya (?) Ighri, Atapya, Vätya, (?) Reşhmya (N), Västavya, Västupa, and Soma. All of them are very powerful. 

40b-43. The following are mentioned as the Rudra deities in the fourteenth outer covering, 0 sage: 

Rudra, Tämrāruņa, Shanga, Pashupati, Ugra, Bhima, Agrevadha, Dūrevadha, Hanta, Hanīyān, Vruşha, Harikeśhaka, Tåra, Shambhu, Mayobhū, Shankara, Mayaskara, Shiva, Shivatara Tīrthya, Kulya, Parya, Apärya, Prataraña, Uttaraņa, Atarya, Labhya, Şhaşhtha (?) (Shashpya in N) and Phenya. 

44-48. The following thirtytwo Rudra Devatas, O intelligent one, stay permanently in the fifteenth outer covering with their weapons: 

Sikatya, Pravāhya, Irinya, Prapathya, (O sage), Kimshila, Kșhayana (thereafter), Kapardī, Pulastya, Goșhthya, Gruhya (as also), Talpya, Gehya, Käțya, Gahvareșhtha, urudipaka (Hradayya in N.), Niveșhtya, Pantavya (Påmsavya in N.), Rathanya, (Rajasyaka in N.), Shukya (suşhkya in N.) Hariti, Alothas (Alohya in N.), Lopyas, Urya, Sūrmya, Payeya (Parņa in N.), Parņaśha, Vaguramåņaka, Abhighnanáśhidu (Abhighnan and Akkhidan in N.), Prakhidan, Kirika and Devänåṁhrudaya. 

49-51. In the sixteenth outer covering the following (four) blazing deities staying in the doorways in the east etc. worship Mahărudra: - Vikșhiņatkas, Vichinvatkas, Nirhatanămakas and Amivaktras. Thus, Mahärudra is served by the thousands of Rudras stationed in the sixteen outer coverings. He carries out the behest of Lalitå. He stays there in the north-east corner of the pearl chamber for the prosperity of the worlds. 

52. Enumerated in the Shatarudriya scripture, these Rudras of great strength protect day and night all those who are richly endowed with devotion to Lalită. These (deities) put obstacles in the path of those who are not the devotees of goddess Lalita. 

53. In this manner the guardians of the quarters, beginning with Shakra resort to the pearl-chamber and perform service unto Lalitå Parameśhvari. 

54. Within the pearl chamber and seven Yojanas from it is the chamber of emerald.¹ It is four Yojanas in height. 

1. VV.54-65 describe the emerald chamber of Daņdanåthå. 

55-57. It is rendered very splendid by means of the proper arrangements of the Gopuras etc. as before. Four Mansions belonging to Daņdanåth, are built there in the intermediate corners between the quarters beginning with southeast. They are as spacious and large as the abodes of Mantriņi. 

Those deities who were stationed on the steps of the leading chariot Girichakra during the great war with Bhandasura stay here (always) alert and watchful. All the grounds here are well paved with rows of emerald stones. They are very splendid. 

58-61. They are full of groves of golden palms. They are equipped in plenty by all the requisite things. There, all the deities have the same splendour and magnificence as Dandanåthå. They move about, playfully whirling and shaking ploughshare and pestle. The palmyra trees are innumerable. They are as wonderful and bright as fresh gold. Their trunks are a Yojana in height. They have very broad and large leaves. Their barks are golden. They are very glossy and smooth. They have good shade, and they are fully laden with fruits. From the top to the root many pots of liquor are kept hanging down from those palmrya trees. All these have been made by the artisans for pleasing Daņdanåthā. 

62-64. Drinking the palm juice continuously, the Chakra deities Jrumbhiņi and others, the Bhairavas beginning with Hetuka, the seven Nigraha deities, Unmattabhairavi and Svapneshi-all these are fully intoxicated. In that excitement of inebriation, they dance about all round in the various quarters wherever Dandini happened to glance at. All these deities have the same splendour and magnificence as the goddess. 

65. The residence of Daņdanåthå (here) is only for her prestige. For the purpose of serving (Lalitā), she has another residenre in the Mahapadmāvati region. Since her mansion is far from the chamber, she has another mansion assigned to her for the purpose of serving (Lalità). 

66. In the emerald enclosure, seven Yojanas away from it is the rampart wall of coral as pink-coloured as the morning sun. 

67-69a. There the entire ground is paved and beautified with corals. Here Brahmă sits in his lotus seat. Brahmã who resembles coral in his complexion always comes there from Brahmaloka along with all leading sages for serving Shrilalitảdevi. He is always active and alert in this respect. O Quaffer of the ocean, he remains there along with the creators of subjects beginning with Marichi.¹ 

1. VV.66-70 Coral enclosure residence of god Brahma. 

69b-70. At the command of goddess Lalità and for the prosperity of the worlds, the great fourteen lores, thousands of subsidiary lores, the sixtyfour fine arts--all these assume physical bodies and resort to Brahma's residence in the coral enclosure. 

71-72. Within the coral enclosure and seven Yojanas away from it is the world of Vişhnu.¹ In all directions it is surrounded by ruby Maņdapas (raised dais with chanopies etc.) Eager to serve Lalită, Vişhņu assumes different forms four, ten or twelve and the eternal lord Madhava always stays there. 

1. VV.71-84 describe the region of Vişhņu with ruby Mandapas. The first Twelve names of Vişhnu uttered at the beginning of a Sandhya (morning or evening prayer) viz. Keshava, Narayana, Damodara are regarded as the forms of Vişhņu with which he protects the world. 

73-75. The deities of ten incarnations who rose up from the nails of Shridevi in the course of great battle with Bhandăsura reside in the Mandapa made of ruby. The only difference in this chamber from the previous ones is this that the surface is covered with that of ruby stones (here). There within the chamber the lord holding the conch, discus and mace divides himself into twelve forms and accords defence in the quarters beginning with the east. 

76-83. Keśhava of golden colour holds discus and protects the east. Närāyaṇa resembling the black cloud holds conch and protects west. As dark as the petals of blue lotus Madhava possessing honey (?) protects (everyone). The great lord Govinda holds bow and has the lustre of the moon. He protects the right (i.e., the southern side). Vişhņu who resembles the filaments of the lotus holds the ploughshare and protects the north. Madhusudana who has the lustre of the lotus and holds Musala (pestle) protects the southeast; Trivikrama who has the refulgence of the fire holds sword in his hand and protects southwest. Vamana who has the brilliance of the mid-day sun holds thunderbolt and protects north-west. Shridhara who has the lustre of Pundarika (lotus) and has the sharpedged spear for his weapon protects the north-east. Hruşhīkeśha who has the lustre of lightning and holds the club protects in the southern quarter (or in the lower region). Padmanabha whose refulgence is equal to that of a thousand suns holds the Sharnga bow in his hand and surrounds the ruby dais in a clockwise direction. Damodara who has all weapons, who is omnipotent and omniscicnt, who has faces all round, who resembles Indragopa (glowworm), who holds the noose in his hand, who is never defeated, who is the soul of everything and who is full of devotion to Lalità surrounds the ruby dais in a anticlock wise direction. 

84. Thus by means of his twelve bodies the lotus-eyed Lord shines in the Vişhnuloka occupying the ruby dais. 

85. Within the enclosure of diverse kinds of gems and seven Yojanas from it there is a charming dais named Sahasrastambhaka¹ (thousand-columned). 

1. VV. 85-94 give the description of a thousand-pillared ball and the residence of Shiva. This Shiva is Shridevi's devotee (on a lower level). Mention of 28 Shaiva Agamas in V. 89 does not clarify whether the Advaita or Dvaita theory is advocated by them. 

86-87. It is set with and beautified with different kinds of gems. There is enclosure (chamber) there which is very high, and which is built of different gems. There is a row of thousand columns transversely. (?) There are many such rows in the four directions. 

88. The covering above is as before by means of blocks of gems and jewels. It is there that Shiva'a world stands aloft with sparkling splendour. 

89. It is remembered that the twentyeight Shaiva-agamas (scriptural texts of Shaivite philosophy) are present there in embodied form. There are excellent persons there, the chief of whom are Nandin, Bhrungi and Mahåkala. 

90-94. There are thousands of elephant-faced lords. There are deities of twentysix Tattvas in that excellent Shivaloka on the hall of thousand columns. Ishāna, the moon crested lord is the knower of all lores. He carries out the orders of Lalita and abides by them. He repeats the Mantra of Lalită continuously. He is always delighted in his mind. By means of his benign vision special to him, he illuminates the power of intellect which has the form of great refulgence of his devotees. He does so for the sake of enabling his devotees to achieve the Mantra of Lalita. The power of intellect can thereby be competent to dispel the dense darkness within and without. Mahadeva who stays in the thousand-columned hall is omniscient. He does everything. He is full of devotion to Shridevi. O Potborn sage, he stays there resorting to different enclosures.