Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 11
विष्णु-ब्रह्म-विवाद-वर्णनम्
Description of the Viṣṇu–Brahmā Dispute and Brahmā’s Confusion
इति बुद्धिं समास्थाय कमलादवरोहयन् । नाले नालेगतस्तत्र वर्षाणां शतकं मुने
iti buddhiṃ samāsthāya kamalādavarohayan | nāle nālegatastatra varṣāṇāṃ śatakaṃ mune
असा निश्चय करून तो कमळातून खाली उतरू लागला. हे मुने! देठाच्या आत एकेक विभाग पार करत तो तेथे शंभर वर्षे राहिला.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Cosmic Event: prolonged cosmic traversal (hundred years) indicating the inadequacy of temporal effort to reach the first cause
FAQs
It highlights the limitation of mere intellectual resolve and cosmic exploration: even Brahmā’s long search within created structures cannot reach the Supreme Pati (Śiva) without divine revelation and grace.
The narrative prepares for the teaching that the Absolute is not found by traversing the cosmos but is recognized through Śiva’s manifested sign (often expressed as the Linga), a Saguna support that leads the seeker toward the transcendent.
The takeaway is inward turning: instead of endless external searching, practice Shiva-oriented japa (e.g., the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with devotion and steadiness, seeking Śiva’s guidance to transcend limitation.