Shloka 31
ध्रुवस्य निर्वेदः — मन्त्रोपदेशः (ॐ नमो वासुदेवाय) तथा विष्ण्वाराधनविधिः
स राजपुत्रस् तान् सर्वान् प्रणिपत्याभ्यभाषत प्रश्रयावनतः सम्यग् अभिवादनपूर्वकम्
sa rājaputras tān sarvān praṇipatyābhyabhāṣata praśrayāvanataḥ samyag abhivādanapūrvakam
That prince bowed down to them all; with humility, and after first offering proper salutations, he addressed them with due reverence.
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya); within the narrative, the action is performed by a rājaputra (prince) who then speaks
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Proper approach to sages/teachers as prerequisite for receiving upadeśa
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: authoritative
Concept: Right knowledge is approached through reverent conduct—prostration, salutations, and humble speech before the wise.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Practice respectful listening and disciplined manners when seeking counsel—especially from elders, mentors, and teachers.
Vishishtadvaita: The disciple’s śeṣatva (dependence/service) is enacted through vinaya toward the guru, mirroring dependence on the Lord.
Vishnu Form: Hari
Bhakti Type: Dasya
FAQs
This verse presents the prince’s bowing and formal greeting as a core sign of rājadharma—authority grounded in reverence, self-restraint, and proper conduct toward elders and assemblies.
By highlighting the prince’s disciplined etiquette—prostration first, speech second—Parāśara signals that rightful rule begins with humility and adherence to dharma, not mere power.
Even when Vishnu is not named, the Purana’s ethic implies that social order and righteous sovereignty mirror the higher cosmic order ultimately sustained by Vishnu as Supreme Reality.