Shloka 6
Maṅgalācaraṇa, the Sages’ Inquiry, and Hari as Supreme with an Avatāra-Outline
ऋषय ऊचुः / सूत ! जानासि सर्वं त्वं पृच्छामस्त्वामतो वयम् / देवतानां हि को देव ईश्वरः पूज्य एव कः
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ / sūta ! jānāsi sarvaṃ tvaṃ pṛcchāmastvāmato vayam / devatānāṃ hi ko deva īśvaraḥ pūjya eva kaḥ
ঋষিগণ বললেন—হে সূত! তুমি সর্বজ্ঞ, তাই আমরা তোমাকেই জিজ্ঞাসা করি। দেবতাদের মধ্যে প্রকৃত দেব কে—পরমেশ্বর কে, এবং একমাত্র পূজ্য কে?
The sages (ṛṣis), addressing Sūta
Concept: Ekatva of Īśvara: among devas, the truly worship-worthy Supreme Lord is one.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-tattva and ekam eva advitīyam (one supreme reality as Lord) expressed theistically.
Application: Clarify one’s iṣṭa-devatā and direct worship/meditation toward the Supreme rather than scattered devatā-upāsanā.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: assembly (sabhā/āśrama setting implied)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.1.7-1.1.10 (continuation of the ṛṣis’ questions on dhyeya, sṛṣṭi, dharma, avatāra, varṇāśrama)
FAQs
This verse frames the text’s purpose: to establish who is truly īśvara and therefore the proper focus of worship, guiding devotion and dharma toward the highest principle.
Indirectly, it sets the theological foundation: understanding the Supreme Lord is the basis for right worship and right conduct, which later informs karma, post-death outcomes, and liberation themes in the Purana.
Use it as a filter for practice: prioritize worship and ethical living aligned with the Supreme (īśvara), rather than being scattered among many lesser aims.