Shloka 28
Brahmā–Viṣṇu Garva-vādaḥ
The Dispute of Pride Between Brahmā and Viṣṇu
तानवेक्ष्य पतिर्देवान्समीपे चाह्वयद्गणैः । अथ संह्लादयन्देवान्देवो देवशिखामणिः । अवोचदर्थगंभीरं वचनं मधुमंगलम्
tānavekṣya patirdevānsamīpe cāhvayadgaṇaiḥ | atha saṃhlādayandevāndevo devaśikhāmaṇiḥ | avocadarthagaṃbhīraṃ vacanaṃ madhumaṃgalam
Seeing those gods, the Lord—Pati, sovereign of all—summoned them near with his gaṇas. Then, delighting the devas, that God, the crest-jewel among the gods, spoke words profound in meaning, sweet, and auspicious.
Suta Goswami (narrating the episode; Shiva is the one who speaks within the narrative)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: As Viśveśvara, Śiva is ‘pati’ who governs and gathers the devas; the motif of summoning near and speaking auspicious teaching resonates with Kāśī as a seat of upadeśa and liberating instruction.
Significance: Approaching the Lord (samīpa-gamana) and hearing his auspicious words symbolizes śravaṇa as a means to receive anugraha and right order (dharma) in the worlds.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It establishes Shiva as Pati—the supreme Lord who guides even the devas—whose speech is both artha-gambhīra (metaphysically deep) and maṅgala (spiritually auspicious), indicating that liberation-oriented wisdom flows from Shiva’s grace.
The verse highlights Saguna Shiva as the compassionate teacher and ruler who actively engages the cosmos; such approachable lordship is the devotional basis for Linga-worship, where devotees seek Shiva’s auspicious instruction and protection.
A key takeaway is śravaṇa (devotional listening) to Shiva-kathā and Shiva’s teachings; practically, one may pair this with japa of the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to receive the ‘sweet and auspicious’ fruit of Shiva’s guidance.