[Advaita-l] Rudra Loka is above Brahma loka - Vishnudharmottara Purana

[V Subrahmanian]

In this Purana, depending upon the intensity/excellence in the observance
of a certain vrata, the fruit of attaining the Loka-s of the Trimurti-s
separately is stated to increase in geometrical proportions.  The number
of  'paaraNa' 1,2,3,6,12  done after the fasting as part of the vrata (the
number of times the vrata has been observed in a person's lifetime), gives
the fruit of attaining to svarga loka , Indra loka, Brahma loka, Rudra loka
and Vishnu loka. In this hierarchy, attainment of Rudra loka requires more
punya than that is required to attain Brahma loka.


This is highlighted just to show that the idea 'Brahma is above Rudra,
being the latter's father :-)' is contradicted by this Vaishnava Purana.
This purana is cited as authority by Madhvas for the idea 'the weapons of
Vishnu are non-different from Vishnu's svarupa.


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कृत्वैकं पारणं राजन्स्वर्गलोके महीयते ।। ११ ।।

द्वितीयं पारणं कृत्वा शक्रलोके महीयते ।।

तृतीयं पारणं कृत्वा ब्रह्मलोके महीयते ।। १२ ।।

कृत्वा पारणषट्कं तु रुद्रलोके महीयते ।।

विष्णुलोकमवाप्नोति कृत्वा द्वादशपारणम् ।। १३ ।।

ध्वजव्रतं द्वादशवत्सराणि कृत्वा नरो भार्गववंशमुख्य ।।

सायुज्यमायाति जनार्दनस्य देवस्य विष्णोः परमेश्वरस्य ।। १४ ।।

इति श्रीविष्णुधर्मोत्तरे तृतीयखण्डे मार्कण्डेयवज्रसंवादे चतुर्मूर्तिकल्पे
ध्वजव्रतवर्णनो नाम षट्चत्वारिंशदुत्तरशततमोऽध्यायः । १४६ ।।

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