Shloka 4

विष्णु-ब्रह्म-विवाद-वर्णनम्

Description of the Viṣṇu–Brahmā Dispute and Brahmā’s Confusion

Devanagari script

कृत्वा यत्नं पूर्ववत्स शंकरः परमेश्वरः । दक्षिणांगान्निजान्मां कैसाशीश्शंभुरजीजनत्

Transliteration

kṛtvā yatnaṃ pūrvavatsa śaṃkaraḥ parameśvaraḥ | dakṣiṇāṃgānnijānmāṃ kaisāśīśśaṃbhurajījanat

Translation

Então Śaṅkara, o Senhor Supremo, empenhando-se como antes, fez-me surgir de Seu próprio membro do lado direito; Śambhu, o Senhor de Kailāsa, criou-me.

Word by Word

• kṛtvā: having done
• kṛtvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), indeclinable; sense: having done/made

• yatnam: effort
• yatnam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yatna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• pūrvavat: as before
• pūrvavat: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pūrvavat (अव्यय/तद्धित)
• Form: Indeclinable adverb (क्रियाविशेषण), meaning 'as before'

• śaṃkaraḥ: Śaṅkara
• śaṃkaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṃkara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• parameśvaraḥ: the Supreme Lord
• parameśvaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक) + īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); apposition to śaṃkaraḥ

• dakṣiṇa-aṃgāt: from the right limb/side
• dakṣiṇa-aṃgāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dakṣiṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + aṃga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• nijāt: from his own
• nijāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter (पुं/नपुंसक), Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular (एकवचन); agreeing with implied source (e.g., dehāt) or as qualifier to 'aṃgāt' by proximity

• mām: me
• mām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• kailāśī: Kailāśī (a goddess/consort)
• kailāśī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kailāśī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); proper name (Kailāśī)

• śaṃbhuḥ: Śambhu
• śaṃbhuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṃbhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); apposition to śaṃkaraḥ

• ajījanat: generated/produced
• ajījanat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: jan (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); causative sense possible by context 'generated'

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating the Rudra Saṃhitā creation account to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadyojāta

Cosmic Context

Cosmic Event: primary creation (sṛṣṭi) narrative; emergence of Brahmā from Śiva’s own limb

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Shankara, Parameshvara, Shambhu, Kailashisha)

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It affirms Śiva as Parameśvara (Pati)—the independent, compassionate source of manifestation—showing that creation proceeds from His sovereign will and power, not from limitation or necessity.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

By naming Śiva as Śaṅkara/Śambhu/Kailāsīśa, the verse supports Saguna contemplation—devotees approach the transcendent Lord through His gracious, name-and-form aspect, which is also represented in Linga worship as the accessible symbol of the Supreme.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is nāma-smaraṇa (repetition of Shiva’s names) and japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—while meditating on Śiva as the sole source of creation and inner renewal.