Shloka 10
Vasiṣṭha–Karāla-Janaka Saṃvāda: Aśuddha-Sevana, Guṇa-Dr̥ṣṭi, and Sāṃkhya–Yoga Ekārthatā
Mahābhārata 12.293
स्वयम्भूरसृजच्चाग्रे धातारं लोकसत्कृतम् । धातासूृजत् पुत्रमेक॑ लोकानां धारणे रतम्
svayambhūr asṛjac cāgre dhātāraṁ lokasatkṛtam | dhātā sṛjat putram ekaṁ lokānāṁ dhāraṇe ratam ||
Parāśara said: In the beginning, the Self-born Lord brought forth Dhātṛ (Brahmā), honored by all the worlds. Dhātṛ then produced a single son, devoted to the sustaining of all the worlds—one whose very purpose is to uphold the cosmic order.
पराशर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Cosmic stability is presented as a deliberate, purposeful function of creation: the Self-born brings forth Brahmā, and Brahmā generates an agent devoted to sustaining the worlds. The ethical implication is that upholding (dhāraṇa) and maintenance of order is as fundamental as origination—dharma is rooted in sustaining responsibility.
Parāśara outlines a creation sequence: first the Self-born (Svayambhū) creates Dhātṛ (Brahmā), revered by all worlds; then Brahmā creates a single son whose defining role is to support and maintain the worlds, emphasizing the establishment of cosmic administration and continuity.