Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 13
विष्णु-ब्रह्म-विवाद-वर्णनम्
Description of the Viṣṇu–Brahmā Dispute and Brahmā’s Confusion
आरुरोहाथ कमलं नालमार्गेण वै मुने । कुड्मलं कमलस्याथ लब्धवान्न विमोहिताः
ārurohātha kamalaṃ nālamārgeṇa vai mune | kuḍmalaṃ kamalasyātha labdhavānna vimohitāḥ
Ó sábio, então ele subiu ao lótus pelo caminho do seu talo; e depois alcançou o botão do lótus, sem se deixar iludir.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages, addressing a sage as “mune” in the flow of the account)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It depicts Brahmā’s earnest ascent and inquiry, symbolizing the soul’s striving through created supports; yet the Supreme (Śiva as Pati) is not reached by mere movement within the manifested order—clarity and steadfastness are required.
Brahmā’s search along the lotus-stalk points to the limits of seeking the Absolute through visible forms alone; the Śiva-liṅga, while a saguna support for devotion, ultimately leads the devotee to recognize Śiva as the transcendent source beyond the created ‘stalk’ of manifestation.
The takeaway is disciplined upward contemplation (ūrdhva-dhyāna) with steadiness—supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and focused meditation on the liṅga as a doorway to the formless Supreme.