Shloka 14

Brahmā–Viṣṇu Garva-vādaḥ

The Dispute of Pride Between Brahmā and Viṣṇu

Devanagari script

बाणाननलसंकाशानस्त्रांश्च बहुशस्तदा । तदाश्चर्यमिति स्पष्टं तयोः समरगोचरम्

Transliteration

bāṇānanalasaṃkāśānastrāṃśca bahuśastadā | tadāścaryamiti spaṣṭaṃ tayoḥ samaragocaram

Translation

Then, in that battle, many missiles and weapons—arrows blazing like fire—were loosed again and again. Their encounter upon the field of war was plainly astonishing to behold.

Word by Word

• bāṇa-anala-saṃkāśān: like fiery arrows / resembling blazing fire
• bāṇa-anala-saṃkāśān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bāṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + anala (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃkāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• astrān: weapons, missiles
• astrān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: astra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), बहुवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• bahuśaḥ: many times, repeatedly
• bahuśaḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: bahuśas (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

• tadā: then, at that time
• tadā: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb)

• tadā: then
• tadā: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb)

• āścaryam: a wonder, marvel
• āścaryam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āścarya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/वाक्यसमाप्ति-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• spaṣṭam: clear, evident
• spaṣṭam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: spaṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• tayoḥ: of the two (of them)
• tayoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), द्विवचन

• samara-gocaram: the sphere/field of battle
• samara-gocaram: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samara (प्रातिपदिक) + gocara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (battle-range/field)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the awe-inspiring power of karmic forces and divine energies in conflict, reminding the seeker to cultivate steadiness and discernment even amid intense outer drama—an attitude aligned with Shaiva discipline and inner mastery.

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

While the verse is martial in imagery, it supports Saguna understanding: divine power manifests as measurable energies (astrās) in the world. In Shaiva worship, the Linga anchors the mind beyond such turbulence, leading from visible power to the Supreme Pati (Shiva).

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to stabilize the mind when faced with agitation, supported by simple Shaiva observances like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha as aids to recollection of Shiva.