Shloka 19
Brahmā–Viṣṇu Garva-vādaḥ
The Dispute of Pride Between Brahmā and Viṣṇu
इत्थं बभूव समरो ब्रह्मविष्ण्वोः परस्परम् । ततो देवगणाः सर्वे विषण्णा भृशमाकुलाः । ऊचुः परस्परं तात राजक्षोभे यथा द्विजाः
itthaṃ babhūva samaro brahmaviṣṇvoḥ parasparam | tato devagaṇāḥ sarve viṣaṇṇā bhṛśamākulāḥ | ūcuḥ parasparaṃ tāta rājakṣobhe yathā dvijāḥ
Thus the battle between Brahmā and Viṣṇu raged against each other. Then all the hosts of gods, deeply despondent and greatly agitated, spoke among themselves—like learned brāhmaṇas conferring when a kingdom is thrown into turmoil.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It shows that even exalted deities can become entangled in conflict when the supreme principle (Pati—Lord Shiva) is not recognized; the devas’ anxiety points toward the need for Shiva’s higher guidance to restore dharma and inner order.
This turmoil is the narrative ground from which Shiva’s Saguna revelation—often through the Linga as the sign of the limitless—becomes necessary, redirecting attention from rivalry to the supreme Lord who transcends and governs all powers.
A practical takeaway is to pacify agitation through Shiva-smaraṇa and japa of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), cultivating surrender so that conflict resolves into clarity and devotion.