Shloka 23
Viśveśvara-māhātmya and the Nirguṇa–Saguṇa Emergence of Śiva (Śakti–Puruṣa/Prakṛti Discourse)
ब्रह्मणश्च दिने सा हि न विनश्यति निश्चितम् । तदा शिवस्त्रिशूलेन दधाति मुनयश्च ताम्
brahmaṇaśca dine sā hi na vinaśyati niścitam | tadā śivastriśūlena dadhāti munayaśca tām
Surely, during the daytime of Brahmā, it does not perish—this is certain. Then Śiva bears it upon His trident (triśūla), and the sages also uphold it.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Kāśī is declared imperishable throughout Brahmā’s ‘day’ (a vast cosmic cycle). During transitional phases, Śiva supports Kāśī upon His triśūla; sages too ‘uphold’ it—signifying dharma/vidyā sustaining the kṣetra’s sanctity.
Significance: Affirms Kāśī’s nitya-kṣetra status (enduring sanctity across cosmic time), strengthening faith that worship there yields stable spiritual fruit and liberation.
Role: nurturing
Offering: dipa
Cosmic Event: Brahmā’s day (kalpa) as the temporal frame; the verse asserts non-destruction within that cycle, implying protection through cosmic maintenance phases.
FAQs
The verse highlights Śiva as the sustaining Pati (Lord) who preserves dharma and cosmic order through vast cycles (Brahmā’s day), teaching devotees to take refuge in His stable, protecting power amid change.
By portraying Śiva actively ‘bearing’ and ‘supporting,’ the verse emphasizes Saguna Śiva—approachable through Linga worship—who compassionately upholds the worlds and the sacred order for the benefit of beings.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with Linga-dhyāna, cultivating the inner sense that Śiva supports one’s life and mind just as He supports the cosmos.