Shloka 18

Brahmā–Viṣṇu Garva-vādaḥ

The Dispute of Pride Between Brahmā and Viṣṇu

Devanagari script

सहस्रमुखमत्युग्रं चंडवातभयंकरम् । अस्त्रद्वयमिदं तत्र ब्रह्मविष्ण्वोर्भयंकरम्

Transliteration

sahasramukhamatyugraṃ caṃḍavātabhayaṃkaram | astradvayamidaṃ tatra brahmaviṣṇvorbhayaṃkaram

Translation

There appeared a pair of weapons—thousand-faced and exceedingly fierce, terrifying like a storm-wind; there, they became a cause of dread even to Brahmā and Viṣṇu.

Word by Word

• sahasra-mukham: thousand-faced
• sahasra-mukham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sahasra (प्रातिपदिक) + mukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि—‘having a thousand faces/mouths’

• ati-ugram: exceedingly fierce
• ati-ugram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ati (अव्यय/उपसर्ग) + ugra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण; ati- उपसर्गेण अतिशय (intensive)

• caṇḍa-vāta-bhayaṃkaram: terrifying like a fierce wind
• caṇḍa-vāta-bhayaṃkaram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: caṇḍa (प्रातिपदिक) + vāta (प्रातिपदिक) + bhayaṃkara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (fear-causing like a violent wind)

• astra-dvayam: this pair of weapons
• astra-dvayam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: astra (प्रातिपदिक) + dvaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (two weapons)

• idam: this
• idam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (demonstrative)

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb)

• brahma-viṣṇvoḥ: of Brahmā and Vishnu
• brahma-viṣṇvoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक) + viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), द्विवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास (of Brahmā and Viṣṇu)

• bhayaṃkaram: fearsome, terrifying
• bhayaṃkaram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhayaṃkara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Durgā

Role: destructive

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: storm-wind terror imagery (caṇḍavāta) suggesting elemental upheaval

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It highlights that even the highest cosmic functions (creation and preservation) can be overawed by the Supreme Lord’s śakti; fear arises when the ego clings to control, and peace comes by recognizing Pati (Shiva) as the transcendent refuge.

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

In the Vidyeśvara context, such awe-inspiring manifestations underscore Saguna Shiva’s lordship revealed through signs and powers; Linga-worship trains the mind to surrender to that supreme presence beyond Brahmā and Viṣṇu.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Cultivate śaraṇāgati (surrender) through japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” along with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as aids to steady remembrance and fearlessness.