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
ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ—“ਇਉਂ ਕਹਿ ਕੇ ਵਿਸ਼੍ਵਾਤਮਾ ਨੇ ਤਦ ਆਪਣਾ ਸਵਰੂਪ ਧਾਰਨ ਕੀਤਾ। ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਵੀ—ਭਾਵੇਂ ਵਰਾਹ ਰੂਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੀ—ਹੇ ਮੁਨੀ, ਛੇਤੀ ਹੀ ਹੰਸਤਾ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ।”
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.