Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 28
विष्णु-ब्रह्म-विवाद-वर्णनम्
Description of the Viṣṇu–Brahmā Dispute and Brahmā’s Confusion
ब्रह्मोवाच । भाषसे वत्स वत्सेति सर्वसंहारकारणम् । मामिहाति स्मितं कृत्वा गुरुश्शिष्यमिवानघ
brahmovāca | bhāṣase vatsa vatseti sarvasaṃhārakāraṇam | māmihāti smitaṃ kṛtvā guruśśiṣyamivānagha
Brahmā berkata: “Wahai yang tidak bercela—Engkaulah sebab peleburan segala-galanya—namun di sini Engkau berbicara kepadaku dengan berkata, ‘wahai anak, wahai anak,’ lalu dengan senyuman Engkau mendekat, seolah-olah Engkau guru dan aku murid.”
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Cosmic Event: sṛṣṭi-kathā framed against the ever-present capacity for sarvasaṃhāra (universal dissolution)
FAQs
It reveals Shiva as Pati—the supreme Lord who governs even dissolution—yet who chooses to relate with tenderness and grace, showing that divine supremacy is inseparable from compassion and guruhood.
Brahmā’s address highlights Saguna Shiva’s approachable form: the transcendent power behind saṃhāra becomes personally accessible, which is the devotional basis for worshiping Shiva through the Linga and other sacred forms.
Adopt the guru–śiṣya attitude in Shiva-upāsanā: approach Shiva with humility, repeat Shiva’s names/mantras (such as the Panchākṣarī), and meditate on His grace that guides the soul beyond fear of dissolution.