Shloka 16

Brahmā–Viṣṇu Garva-vādaḥ

The Dispute of Pride Between Brahmā and Viṣṇu

Devanagari script

माहेश्वरास्त्रं मतिमान् संदधे ब्रह्मणोपरि । ततो ब्रह्मा भृशं क्रुद्धः कंपयन्विश्वमेव हि

Transliteration

māheśvarāstraṃ matimān saṃdadhe brahmaṇopari | tato brahmā bhṛśaṃ kruddhaḥ kaṃpayanviśvameva hi

Translation

Then the wise one deployed the Maheśvara weapon against Brahmā. Thereupon Brahmā became exceedingly enraged, indeed causing the entire universe to tremble.

Word by Word

• māheśvara-astram: the Maheśvara missile
• māheśvara-astram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māheśvara (प्रातिपदिक) + astra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (Maheśvara’s weapon)

• matimān: intelligent, wise
• matimān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: matimat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• saṃdadhe: he fixed/aimed/placed
• saṃdadhe: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-dhā (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• brahmaṇaḥ: of Brahmā
• brahmaṇaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन

• upari: upon, against
• upari: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: upari (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (preposition/adverb)

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Kāla/Anantarya (काल/अनन्तर्य)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रमसूचक-अव्यय (then)

• brahmā: Brahmā
• brahmā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन

• bhṛśam: greatly
• bhṛśam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: bhṛśam (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

• kruddhaḥ: angered
• kruddhaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: krudh (धातु) → kruddha (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle)

• kaṃpayan: shaking
• kaṃpayan: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण; सहक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kamp (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान कृदन्त (present participle), पुंलिङ्ग प्रथमा एकवचन; ‘shaking’

• viśvam: the universe
• viśvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• eva: indeed, just
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चय/अवधारण-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• hi: for, indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतु/निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय (particle: for/indeed)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Rudra

Mantra Metadata

Type: rudram

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: cosmic trembling (lokakampana) triggered by divine astra discharge

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma

FAQs

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

It highlights how even cosmic powers like Brahmā can be overcome by agitation and anger, while Śiva’s śakti (divine power) remains supreme—teaching the seeker to transcend ego (ahaṅkāra) and reactive passion to move toward liberation.

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

The Maheśvara weapon signifies Śiva’s manifest (saguṇa) sovereignty within creation; Linga worship likewise centers on recognizing Śiva as the ruling Pati whose power governs and corrects the cosmos when pride disrupts dharma.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to cool anger and stabilize the mind, supported by Shaiva disciplines like applying tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and cultivating inner restraint (śama).