Meaning and elaboration
Meaning: Salutations To The one who is the bottomless, one of the seven netherworlds.
Elaboration
The name 'Atala' literally means "bottomless" or "unfathomable." In Hindu cosmology, Atala is also the name of the first and highest of the seven Pātālas or netherworlds, located beneath the Earth.
The Bottomless and Unfathomable When applied to Lord Kalabhairava, 'Atalaaya' signifies his incomprehensibility and immeasurability. He is without beginning or end, and his essential nature is beyond human intellect or sensory perception. This alludes to the infinite and transcendent aspect of the Divine, which cannot be fully grasped or contained by finite minds. It points to his cosmic depth, indicating that his power, wisdom, and very being are boundless and beyond any conceivable limits. He is the ultimate reality that cannot be fathomed, like an ocean without a bottom.
Lord of the Netherworlds As the Lord who is Atala, he also inherently rules over it. This indicates his dominion over not only the visible terrestrial realms but also the hidden, subterranean, and mystical dimensions of existence. While the Pātālas are often considered netherworlds, they are not necessarily realms of evil but can be places of great opulence and spiritual power, inhabited by beings like Nāgas (serpents) and Daityas (titans). Thus, Kalabhairava’s association with Atala means he is the supreme sovereign even in these realms, maintaining cosmic order and justice.
Symbol of Grounding and Foundation Paradoxically, as the "bottomless," Atala can also symbolize the ultimate foundation upon which everything rests. He is the fundamental substratum of existence, the bedrock beneath all layers of reality. Even if he is bottomless, he is still the ground. Therefore, he is the unwavering support for the entire cosmos, implying that all of creation is ultimately sustained by his incomprehensible power.
-