Shloka 25

Brahmā–Viṣṇu Garva-vādaḥ

The Dispute of Pride Between Brahmā and Viṣṇu

Devanagari script

सव्योत्तरेतरपदं तदर्हितकरां बुजम् । स्वगणैः सर्वतो जुष्टं सर्वलक्षणलक्षितम्

Transliteration

savyottaretarapadaṃ tadarhitakarāṃ bujam | svagaṇaiḥ sarvato juṣṭaṃ sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitam

Translation

His left and right feet were set in perfect poise; His lotus-like hands were held in fitting and worthy mudrās. Surrounded on every side by His own gaṇas, He bore all auspicious marks, fully endowed with every divine characteristic.

Word by Word

• सव्य-उत्तर-इतर-पदम्: having the left, upper, and other foot/position (arranged thus)
• सव्य-उत्तर-इतर-पदम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सव्य (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्तर (प्रातिपदिक) + इतर (प्रातिपदिक) + पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमासः (determinative): 'सव्यं च उत्तरं च इतरं च पदं यस्य/यत्र' (contextual determinative for 'lotus/seat')

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म/Object; deictic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• अर्हित-कराम्: with worthy/fit hands
• अर्हित-कराम्: Karma (कर्म/Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अर्हित (कृदन्त; √अर्ह् धातु) + करा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुषभावः: 'अर्हिता करा यस्याः' / 'अर्हितया करया युक्ताम्' (context: 'bujam')

• बुजम्: lotus (seat/flower)
• बुजम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• स्व-गणैः: by his own attendants
• स्व-गणैः: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument; agency)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: 'स्वस्य गणैः'

• सर्वतः: on all sides
• सर्वतः: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Scope-location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; दिशावाचक/परितः-अर्थे क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: 'on all sides')

• जुष्टम्: adorned/attended
• जुष्टम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √जुष् (धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle)

• सर्व-लक्षण-लक्षितम्: marked by all auspicious signs
• सर्व-लक्षण-लक्षितम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक) + लक्षित (कृदन्त; √लक्ष् धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: 'सर्वैः लक्षणैः लक्षितम्' (instrumental sense)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha

Sthala Purana: Viśveśvara (Kāśī) is praised as the Lord of the universe; the scene’s courtly, gaṇa-surrounded epiphany aligns with Kāśī’s theology of Śiva as the ever-present sovereign who grants liberation to those who approach him.

Significance: Darśana of Viśvanātha is held to confer pāpa-kṣaya and, in Kāśī’s special doctrine, readiness for anugraha leading to liberation (especially through Śiva’s saving presence).

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Ganas

FAQs

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

The verse emphasizes Saguna-darśana: contemplating Shiva’s auspicious form—balanced stance, sacred hand-gestures, and divine marks—so the mind becomes steady and receptive to His grace, which leads the bound soul (paśu) toward liberation under the Lord (Pati).

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

Though Liṅga-worship points to the transcendent (nirguṇa) reality, the Purāṇa also validates Saguna contemplation: visualizing Shiva with auspicious lakṣaṇas and surrounded by gaṇas supports devotion, concentration, and reverence that culminate in Liṅga-centered worship and realization.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice dhyāna (meditation) on Shiva’s form as described—steady posture and sacred mudrā-like hands—while repeating the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” optionally with vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa to reinforce Shaiva discipline.