Shloka 61
विष्णु-ब्रह्म-विवाद-वर्णनम्
Description of the Viṣṇu–Brahmā Dispute and Brahmā’s Confusion
नापश्यदल्पमप्यस्य मूलं लिंगस्य सूकरः । तावत्कालं गतश्चोर्द्ध्वमहमप्यरिसूदन
nāpaśyadalpamapyasya mūlaṃ liṃgasya sūkaraḥ | tāvatkālaṃ gataścorddhvamahamapyarisūdana
Sous la forme d’un sanglier, il ne put voir ne fût-ce qu’une infime trace de la base de ce Liṅga. Et durant ce très long temps, moi aussi je montai vers le haut à la recherche de son sommet, ô pourfendeur des ennemis.
Brahma (narrating the futile search, addressing Vishnu as Ari-sudana)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Liṅgodbhava
Sthala Purana: Core Liṅgodbhava statement: Varāha cannot find the mūla (base) of the Liṅga; simultaneously Brahmā reports his own upward search—together establishing the Liṅga’s infinitude.
Significance: Reinforces the doctrine that Śiva is not an object of conquest; the proper ‘means’ is devotion and Śiva’s self-disclosure (anugraha) rather than mere ascent/descent.
Cosmic Event: Dual cosmic quest (downward and upward) failing before the ananta-liṅga.
FAQs
It teaches that the Supreme Lord Shiva, revealed as the infinite Linga, is beyond the reach of ego-driven inquiry; realization comes through humility, devotion, and accepting the Lord’s transcendence (Pati beyond measure).
The narrative establishes the Linga as Shiva’s revelatory form—worship of the Linga is worship of Shiva’s accessible manifestation (Saguna) that points to His limitless, formless reality (Nirguna) beyond beginning and end.
A key takeaway is humble Linga-upasana: offer water and bilva with the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” meditate on the Linga as boundless light, and cultivate surrender rather than pride in spiritual attainment.