Shloka 9
Brahmā–Viṣṇu Garva-vādaḥ
The Dispute of Pride Between Brahmā and Viṣṇu
अहमेव बरो न त्वमहं प्रभुरहं प्रभुः । परस्परं हंतुकामौ चक्रतुः समरोद्यमम्
ahameva baro na tvamahaṃ prabhurahaṃ prabhuḥ | parasparaṃ haṃtukāmau cakratuḥ samarodyamam
“Akulah yang unggul—bukan engkau. Akulah Tuhan; akulah Tuhan!” Demikian, kerana ingin saling membunuh, kedua-duanya pun mula bersiap untuk berperang.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights how ahaṅkāra (ego)—even in exalted cosmic beings—creates conflict; Shaiva teaching points beyond rivalry to recognizing Pati (Shiva) as the supreme reality who dissolves pride and grants right knowledge.
This quarrel is the narrative ground for Shiva’s higher revelation: the Linga symbolizes the limitless Lord beyond competing claims of supremacy, guiding devotees from limited identification to devotion and surrender to Saguna Shiva as the doorway to the transcendent.
Cultivate humility through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and Linga-dhyāna, offering the fruits of action to Shiva to counter ego-driven competition.