Shloka 98
Atithi-prāpti and the Brāhmaṇa’s Deliberation on Triadic Dharma (अतिथिप्राप्तिः धर्मत्रयविचारश्च)
तेनानुशिष्टो ब्रह्मापि स्वलोकमचिराद् गत: । एवमेष महाभाग: पद्मनाभ: सनातन:
tenānuśiṣṭo brahmāpi svalokam acirād gataḥ | evam eṣa mahābhāgaḥ padmanābhaḥ sanātanaḥ ||
Vyāsa said: Thus instructed, Brahmā too soon departed for his own world. In this way the blessed, eternal Lord Padmanābha is spoken of as the foremost enjoyer of sacrifices, and as the constant sustainer and promoter of sacrificial order. At times He upholds the path of withdrawal (nivṛtti-dharma) embraced by imperishable, great-souled ones; at other times, considering the diverse mental tendencies of beings, He lays down for the world the path of engagement (pravṛtti-dharma).
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents the Lord (Padmanābha/Viṣṇu) as the regulator of dharma in two complementary modes: nivṛtti (renunciatory withdrawal aimed at liberation) and pravṛtti (engaged duty sustaining society and ritual order). Both are framed as divinely sanctioned, applied according to the capacities and mental tendencies of beings.
After receiving instruction, Brahmā departs to his own realm. Vyāsa then characterizes Padmanābha as eternal and supremely authoritative over sacrifice and dharma—supporting sacrificial order while also guiding beings either toward renunciation or toward worldly duty as appropriate.