Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 50
विष्णु-ब्रह्म-विवाद-वर्णनम्
Description of the Viṣṇu–Brahmā Dispute and Brahmā’s Confusion
मोहितं चाह मामत्र किमर्थं स्पर्द्धसेऽधुना । आगतस्तु तृतीयोऽत्र तिष्ठतां युद्धमावयोः
mohitaṃ cāha māmatra kimarthaṃ sparddhase'dhunā | āgatastu tṛtīyo'tra tiṣṭhatāṃ yuddhamāvayoḥ
ثم قال لي هنا: «وأنت واقعٌ في الوهم، لِمَ تُخاصِم الآن؟ لقد جاء ثالثٌ إلى هنا—فليَبْقَ؛ وأما القتال فليكن الآن بيننا نحن الاثنين».
Brahmā (narrative voice within the Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa account)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Liṅgodbhava
Sthala Purana: The competitive dispute between Brahmā and Viṣṇu is framed as arising under the veiling power (tirodhāna) of the jyotiḥ-stambha episode; it sets up the need for Śiva’s later self-disclosure.
Significance: Hearing this portion is traditionally taken as a warning against ahaṃkāra in spiritual authority; humility is prerequisite for liṅga-darśana and grace.
FAQs
It highlights how moha (delusion) fuels rivalry and conflict; Shaiva Siddhanta treats such ego-driven contention as a bondage (pāśa) that must be overcome through discernment and, ultimately, Shiva’s grace.
The verse reflects the limitation of power-struggles among beings; in the Shiva Purana, such conflicts are resolved by turning toward the supreme Pati—often revealed through Saguna manifestations like the Linga that reorient devotion away from pride and toward surrender.
A practical takeaway is to counter moha with japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and a vow of humility—offering one’s agitation into Shiva through steady mantra-recitation and inner restraint.