Shloka 23
वेन-पृथु-प्रादुर्भावः, राजधर्मः, पृथिवीदोहनम्
Vena–Pṛthu Episode and the Milking of Earth
एतज् ज्ञात्वा मयाज्ञप्तं यद् यथा क्रियतां तथा न दातव्यं न होतव्यं न यष्टव्यं च भो द्विजाः
etaj jñātvā mayājñaptaṃ yad yathā kriyatāṃ tathā na dātavyaṃ na hotavyaṃ na yaṣṭavyaṃ ca bho dvijāḥ
Knowing this, do exactly as I have enjoined, in the prescribed manner. O twice-born ones, nothing is to be given, no oblation is to be offered into the fire, and no sacrifice is to be performed if it departs from that command.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya; addressing the dvijas within the instruction)
Concept: Ritual acts—giving, offering, and sacrifice—must be performed strictly according to rightful injunction, not by personal whim or deviation from ordained procedure.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: In spiritual practice, follow a coherent discipline (ācāra/vidhi) under trustworthy guidance; avoid improvising sacred duties for ego or display.
Vishishtadvaita: Frames action as service under divine/authorized command, aligning karma with surrender (śeṣatva) rather than autonomous agency.
Bhakti Type: Dasya
FAQs
This verse emphasizes that dharma includes restraint: even meritorious acts like dāna, homa, and yajña become improper when done outside the ordained rule, time, or context.
Parāśara frames correct action as obedience to injunction—acts must be performed exactly as prescribed, highlighting that intention alone is insufficient without conformity to dharmic procedure.
By grounding social and ritual order in authoritative dharma, the Purana supports a cosmos governed by a supreme principle—Vishnu as the sustaining sovereignty—where right order aligns human action with the divine maintenance of the world.