Shloka 7
Brahmā–Viṣṇu Garva-vādaḥ
The Dispute of Pride Between Brahmā and Viṣṇu
पितामहश्च जगतः पाता च तव वत्सक । विष्णुरुवाच । मत्स्थं जगदिदं वत्स मनुषे त्वं हि चोरवत्
pitāmahaśca jagataḥ pātā ca tava vatsaka | viṣṇuruvāca | matsthaṃ jagadidaṃ vatsa manuṣe tvaṃ hi coravat
“You are the grandsire of the world, and also its protector, dear child.” Viṣṇu said: “This entire universe abides in Me, my son; yet you speak of it as if it were your own—like a thief.”
Vishnu
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
The verse critiques egoic appropriation—claiming cosmic authority as “mine.” In Shaiva Siddhanta, such doership is a form of pāśa (bondage); liberation arises when one recognizes the universe as upheld by the Supreme Lord (Pati) and relinquishes possessiveness.
By exposing the error of “I am the controller,” the verse supports Linga-worship as a discipline of surrender: the Linga signifies the Supreme Pati beyond personal pride. Devotion to Saguna Shiva trains the devotee to see all powers as resting in the Lord, not in the limited self.
Practice japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—with the bhāva of offering all ownership to Shiva; apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder that pride and possession end in ash, cultivating humility and detachment.