Shloka 11

Brahmā–Viṣṇu Garva-vādaḥ

The Dispute of Pride Between Brahmā and Viṣṇu

Devanagari script

तावद्विमानगतयः सर्वा वै देवजातयः । दिदृक्षवः समाजग्मुः समरं तं महाद्भुतम्

Transliteration

tāvadvimānagatayaḥ sarvā vai devajātayaḥ | didṛkṣavaḥ samājagmuḥ samaraṃ taṃ mahādbhutam

Translation

Da versammelten sich alle Scharen der Götter, auf ihren himmlischen Wagen, voller Verlangen, jene überaus wunderbare Schlacht zu schauen.

Word by Word

• तावत्: then/so long
• तावत्: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa / Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tāvat (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), काल/परिमाणवाचक अव्यय (temporal/extent adverb): 'so long/then'

• विमान-गतयः: those moving in aerial cars
• विमान-गतयः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vimāna (प्रातिपदिक) + gati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (plural); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: 'विमाने गमनं/गतिः' → 'विमानगतिः' (those whose movement is by aerial car)

• सर्वाः: all
• सर्वाः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Kartā-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (सर्व-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण (adjective) to 'देवजातयः'

• वै: indeed
• वै: सम्बन्धसूचक निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अवधान/निश्चयार्थक (emphatic)

• देव-जातयः: classes of gods
• देव-जातयः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक) + jāti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: 'देवानां जातयः'

• दिदृक्षवः: wishing to see
• दिदृक्षवः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Kartā-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dṛś (धातु) + इच्छार्थक-प्रत्यय (सन्/इच्छा) → didṛkṣu (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; इच्छार्थक कृदन्त (desiderative adjectival): 'seeing-desirous'

• समाजग्मुः: assembled/came together
• समाजग्मुः: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + ā + gam (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/Parokṣa), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपदम्; 'they came together/assembled'

• समरम्: battle
• समरम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (singular)

• तम्: that
• तम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Karma-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; सर्वनाम, 'समरम्' इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• महा-अद्भुतम्: very wonderful
• महा-अद्भुतम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Karma-viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + adbhuta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः: 'महच्च तत् अद्भुतम्'

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha

Sthala Purana: The ‘mahā-adbhuta’ battle becomes a spectacle for the devas; the narrative builds toward the greater wonder—Śiva’s infinite manifestation—central to the Viśveśvara/Kāśī theology of the supreme Lord revealed to all orders of beings.

Significance: From curiosity (didṛkṣā) to discernment: the episode teaches that marvels of power are secondary to the revelation of Pati and the grace that ends bondage.

Characters & Entities

• Devas

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It shows that even the devas are drawn to Shiva’s extraordinary līlā and cosmic events, while the Shaiva view reminds the seeker to move from mere spectacle to inner devotion to Pati (Shiva), the Lord beyond all hosts.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The verse frames a visible, awe-inspiring divine event—typical of Saguna manifestations—preparing the mind for reverence; in Shaiva practice this reverence is stabilized through Linga-worship, where the same Lord is approached steadily and intimately.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Transform curiosity into upāsanā: mentally bow to Shiva as the inner witness, repeat the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and steady attention as if “watching” the divine battle within the heart.