Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 53
विष्णु-ब्रह्म-विवाद-वर्णनम्
Description of the Viṣṇu–Brahmā Dispute and Brahmā’s Confusion
ब्रह्मोवाच । एवं व्याहृत्य विश्वात्मा स्वरूपमकरोत्तदा । वाराहमहप्याशु हंसत्वं प्राप्तवान्मुने
brahmovāca | evaṃ vyāhṛtya viśvātmā svarūpamakarottadā | vārāhamahapyāśu haṃsatvaṃ prāptavānmune
Brahmā bersabda: “Setelah berkata demikian, Sang Ātman Semesta lalu mengambil kembali rupa-Nya sendiri pada saat itu. Dan aku juga—meskipun dalam bentuk Varāha (babi hutan)—segera mencapai keadaan (dan rupa) Haṃsa, wahai resi.”
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Cosmic Event: cosmogonic manifestation (assumption of svarūpa during sṛṣṭi narrative)
FAQs
It highlights that the Supreme (Viśvātmā) is free to reveal or withdraw forms, while the creator-god Brahmā can be elevated from a limited embodiment to the Haṃsa-state—symbolizing purified awareness and discriminative wisdom—by divine grace and right orientation toward the Lord.
The verse reflects Saguna revelation: the Lord manifests a ‘svarūpa’ for the sake of cosmic order and devotees’ comprehension. In Linga worship, the same principle applies—Shiva is beyond form, yet compassionately accessible through a manifest sign (Liṅga) that leads the mind toward His transcendent reality.
Meditate on Shiva as Viśvātmā (the indwelling Lord) and cultivate haṃsa-bhāva—quiet discrimination and inward purity—supported by japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steady contemplation that lifts consciousness beyond changing outer forms.