Shloka 28
Brahmā–Viṣṇu Garva-vādaḥ
The Dispute of Pride Between Brahmā and Viṣṇu
तानवेक्ष्य पतिर्देवान्समीपे चाह्वयद्गणैः । अथ संह्लादयन्देवान्देवो देवशिखामणिः । अवोचदर्थगंभीरं वचनं मधुमंगलम्
tānavekṣya patirdevānsamīpe cāhvayadgaṇaiḥ | atha saṃhlādayandevāndevo devaśikhāmaṇiḥ | avocadarthagaṃbhīraṃ vacanaṃ madhumaṃgalam
Als der Herr—Pati, der Souverän aller Götter—jene Götter erblickte, rief er sie mit seinen Gaṇas in seine Nähe. Dann, die Devas erfreuend, sprach jener Gott, das Kronjuwel unter den Göttern, Worte von tiefem Sinn, süß und glückverheißend.
Suta Goswami (narrating the episode; Shiva is the one who speaks within the narrative)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: As Viśveśvara, Śiva is ‘pati’ who governs and gathers the devas; the motif of summoning near and speaking auspicious teaching resonates with Kāśī as a seat of upadeśa and liberating instruction.
Significance: Approaching the Lord (samīpa-gamana) and hearing his auspicious words symbolizes śravaṇa as a means to receive anugraha and right order (dharma) in the worlds.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It establishes Shiva as Pati—the supreme Lord who guides even the devas—whose speech is both artha-gambhīra (metaphysically deep) and maṅgala (spiritually auspicious), indicating that liberation-oriented wisdom flows from Shiva’s grace.
The verse highlights Saguna Shiva as the compassionate teacher and ruler who actively engages the cosmos; such approachable lordship is the devotional basis for Linga-worship, where devotees seek Shiva’s auspicious instruction and protection.
A key takeaway is śravaṇa (devotional listening) to Shiva-kathā and Shiva’s teachings; practically, one may pair this with japa of the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to receive the ‘sweet and auspicious’ fruit of Shiva’s guidance.