Shloka 23

मैत्रेयप्रश्नः—पुराणसंहिताप्रतिज्ञा च

Maitreya’s Questions and Parāśara’s Resolve to Teach

Devanagari script

पितामहेन दत्तार्घ्यः कृतासनपरिग्रहः माम् उवाच महाभागो मैत्रेय पुलहाग्रजः

Transliteration

pitāmahena dattārghyaḥ kṛtāsanaparigrahaḥ mām uvāca mahābhāgo maitreya pulahāgrajaḥ

Translation

Having received the arghya from my grandsire and taken the seat prepared for him, that greatly blessed one—Pulaha’s elder brother—addressed me: “O Maitreya …”

Word by Word

• पितामहेन: by the grandsire
• पितामहेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितामह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया एकवचन (Instrumental singular)

• दत्तार्घ्यः: having been offered arghya (honor-water)
• दत्तार्घ्यः: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दत्त (दा धातु + क्त) + अर्घ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (दत्तम् अर्घ्यम् यस्मै/येन = one to whom/for whom the offering was given; here: ‘having been offered arghya’)

• कृतासनपरिग्रहः: having taken a seat
• कृतासनपरिग्रहः: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत (कृ धातु + क्त) + आसन (प्रातिपदिक) + परिग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (आसनस्य परिग्रहः = taking a seat; कृतः आसनपरिग्रहः = having taken a seat)

• माम्: me
• माम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम; द्वितीया एकवचन (Accusative singular)

• उवाच: said, spoke
• उवाच: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्षभूत/Perfect); प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• महाभागः: the noble one
• महाभागः: Karta (Apposition/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाभाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (महान् भागः यस्य = very fortunate/noble)

• मैत्रेय: O Maitreya
• मैत्रेय: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मैत्रेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सम्बोधन (Vocative) एकवचन

• पुलहाग्रजः: elder brother of Pulaha
• पुलहाग्रजः: Karta (Apposition/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुलह (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्रज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (पुलहस्य अग्रजः = elder brother of Pulaha)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating the scene and introducing the speech of Pulahāgraja)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Pulastya’s formal reception (arghya, āsana) and commencement of instruction—‘O Maitreya’ frame marker

Teaching: Historical

Quality: authoritative

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Honoring realized beings through arghya and āsana is not mere etiquette but a dharmic recognition of spiritual authority.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Cultivate reverent listening and proper reception of teachers—create inner ‘āsana’ through attention and humility before learning.

Vishishtadvaita: Knowledge descends through an ordered, grace-bearing lineage; receptivity (śaraṇāgati-like humility) qualifies the hearer.

Characters & Entities

• Maitreya
• Pulaha
• Pulahāgraja (elder brother of Pulaha)
• Pitāmaha (grandsire)

FAQs

What is the significance of offering arghya and a seat before teachings in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse shows that sacred instruction is framed by dharmic hospitality—arghya and āsana mark respect for the teacher and sanctify the transmission of Purāṇic knowledge.

How does Sage Parāśara structure the dialogue in this opening context?

Parāśara narrates a formal setting—welcome, offerings, and seating—then introduces the authoritative speaker who begins addressing Maitreya, establishing a reliable lineage of instruction.

The theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

While Vishnu is not named in this verse, the carefully established guru–disciple setting prepares the ground for definitive teachings where Vishnu will be presented as the supreme, ordering reality behind creation and cosmic cycles.