Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 42
रुद्रस्य परमात्मत्वे ब्रह्मपुत्रत्वादिसंशयप्रश्नः — Questions on Rudra’s Supremacy and His ‘Sonship’ to Brahmā
उदैक्षत महाबाहुस्स्मितमीषच्चकार च । तस्मिन्नवसरे विष्णुर्ग्रस्तस्तेन महात्मना
udaikṣata mahābāhussmitamīṣaccakāra ca | tasminnavasare viṣṇurgrastastena mahātmanā
Der Mächtigarmige blickte hin und zeigte ein leises Lächeln. In eben diesem Augenblick wurde Viṣṇu von jenem großherzigen Wesen ergriffen und überwältigt.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva Siddhanta insight that all cosmic powers, even Vishnu, operate within the Lord’s sovereignty; when Pati reveals His will, the limited self (pashu) and its powers are naturally subdued, pointing to humility and surrender as prerequisites for liberation.
The verse portrays Saguna Shiva’s (the personal Lord’s) effortless mastery—symbolized in Linga worship as the visible sign of the Supreme beyond all forms—teaching devotees to approach the Linga with reverence, acknowledging that divine grace, not mere power, grants protection and realization.
Practice humble japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namah Shivaya”) with bhakti, and meditate on Shiva as Pati who alone releases binding forces; this inner surrender is the practical takeaway implied by Vishnu being ‘overpowered’ by the higher will.