Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 56
विष्णु-ब्रह्म-विवाद-वर्णनम्
Description of the Viṣṇu–Brahmā Dispute and Brahmā’s Confusion
नारायणोऽपि विश्वात्मा सुश्वेतो ह्यभवत्तदा । दश योजनविस्तीर्णं शतयोजनमायतम्
nārāyaṇo'pi viśvātmā suśveto hyabhavattadā | daśa yojanavistīrṇaṃ śatayojanamāyatam
تب عالمِ جان نرائن بھی نہایت سفید صورت والا ہو گیا۔ اس نے ایک عظیم کائناتی جسم اختیار کیا—دس یوجن چوڑا اور سو یوجن لمبا۔
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating the Śiva Purāṇa account to the sages)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Cosmic Event: cosmic expansion into virāṭ-like measure during creation narrative
FAQs
It portrays a saguna (manifest) transformation of Nārāyaṇa into a radiant, immense cosmic form, emphasizing that even the great deities assume measurable forms within creation—while the Supreme Pati (Śiva) ultimately transcends measure.
By highlighting a deity’s vast yet bounded form, the verse indirectly points to the Śiva-liṅga as a concentrated, worshipful symbol of the immeasurable Reality—Saguna worship leading the mind toward Nirguna Śiva beyond all dimensions.
A practical takeaway is dhyāna on divine radiance (śukla-tejas) while reciting the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” using the imagery of vastness to expand awareness beyond the limited ego.