Shloka 13
Brahmā–Viṣṇu Garva-vādaḥ
The Dispute of Pride Between Brahmā and Viṣṇu
मुमोच बाणानसहानस्त्रांश्च विविधान्बहून् । मुमोचाऽथ विधिः क्रुद्धो विष्णोरुरसि दुःसहान्
mumoca bāṇānasahānastrāṃśca vividhānbahūn | mumocā'tha vidhiḥ kruddho viṣṇorurasi duḥsahān
അവൻ പലവിധ ആയുധങ്ങളും സഹിക്കാനാവാത്ത അമ്പുകളും വിട്ടു. തുടർന്ന് ക്രുദ്ധനായ വിധി (ബ്രഹ്മാവ്) വിഷ്ണുവിന്റെ വക്ഷസ്സിൽ ദുസ്സഹമായ ശരം പ്രയോഗിച്ചു।
Sūta Gosvāmi
Tattva Level: pashu
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: The exchange of unbearable astras underscores the futility of deva-level power contests; the narrative prepares for Śiva’s intervention as the only resolution—grounding Viśveśvara’s supremacy and the salvific orientation of Kāśī worship.
Significance: Reinforces that liberation is not achieved by power (astra) but by Śiva’s anugraha; Kāśī/Viśveśvara is approached for grace and right-knowledge rather than worldly victory.
FAQs
It portrays how even exalted deities, when moved by anger and rivalry, act within limitation; Shaiva Siddhanta reads this as a reminder that only turning to the Supreme Pati (Śiva) ends the bondage of pasha such as ego and wrath.
The narrative tension between Brahmā and Viṣṇu prepares the ground for Śiva’s supremacy to be revealed; in the Purana this culminates in devotion to Saguna Śiva—often through the Liṅga—as the stabilizing center beyond competing cosmic roles.
A practical takeaway is to pacify anger through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and cultivate humility—approaching Śiva (often via Liṅga worship) rather than escalating conflict.