Shloka 2
Brahmā–Viṣṇu Garva-vādaḥ
The Dispute of Pride Between Brahmā and Viṣṇu
यदृच्छया गतस्तत्र ब्रह्मा ब्रह्मविदांवरः । अपृच्छत्पुंडरीकाक्षं शयनं सर्वसुन्दरम्
yadṛcchayā gatastatra brahmā brahmavidāṃvaraḥ | apṛcchatpuṃḍarīkākṣaṃ śayanaṃ sarvasundaram
यदृच्छया तत्र गतः ब्रह्मा ब्रह्मविदां वरः। स तं पुण्डरीकाक्षं सर्वसुन्दरशयने शयानं पप्रच्छ।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It sets up the classic Purāṇic inquiry where even Brahmā and Viṣṇu—cosmic authorities—enter a posture of questioning, implying that the highest truth (Pati, Śiva) transcends the limited certainty of created offices and is known through right inquiry and grace.
The narrative context in the Vidyeśvara/Viśveśvara stream typically leads toward recognizing Śiva as the supreme reality who is approachable in Saguna form—especially through the Liṅga—when the gods themselves seek clarity about the Supreme.
The takeaway is humility and inquiry before the Supreme; a practical Shaiva application is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with contemplative questioning—seeking Śiva’s revelation rather than relying only on status or intellect.