Shloka 7

प्रचेतसां तपः तथा विष्णु-स्तुतिः

The Pracetases’ Ocean Tapas and Hymn to Vishnu

Devanagari script

अपृथग्धर्मचरणास् ते ऽतप्यन्त महत् तपः दश वर्षसहस्राणि समुद्रसलिलेशयाः

Transliteration

apṛthagdharmacaraṇās te 'tapyanta mahat tapaḥ daśa varṣasahasrāṇi samudrasalileśayāḥ

Translation

United in a single observance of dharma, they undertook a great austerity—lying within the waters of the ocean for ten thousand years.

Word by Word

• अपृथग्धर्मचरणाः: whose practice of dharma was undivided (unanimous)
• अपृथग्धर्मचरणाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ (उपसर्ग/निषेध) + पृथक् (अव्यय) + धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + चरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—अपृथग् (अभिन्नम्) धर्मचरणं येषाम्

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• अतप्यन्त: performed austerity; practiced penance
• अतप्यन्त: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तप् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/अनद्यतनभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद

• महत्: great
• महत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (तपः इति)

• तपः: austerity
• तपः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• दश: ten
• दश: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दश (संख्या, अव्ययवत्)
• Form: संख्यावाचक; नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया बहुवचनार्थे अव्ययवत्

• वर्षसहस्राणि: thousands of years
• वर्षसहस्राणि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन; समासः—वर्षाणां सहस्राणि (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• समुद्रसलिलेशयाः: lying in the ocean waters
• समुद्रसलिलेशयाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समुद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + सलिल (प्रातिपदिक) + शय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; समासः—समुद्रस्य सलिले शयाः (सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष/अधिकरण-तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Single-pointed, collective discipline sustained over time is presented as a means to attain higher refuge and fulfill dharma.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Adopt a consistent sādhanā (daily practice) and keep vows simple but unwavering; seek supportive community for steadiness.

Vishishtadvaita: Tapas is not self-sufficient; it is meaningful as orientation toward the ‘highest refuge’ (parama-śaraṇa), ultimately the Lord.

Vaishnava Theology

Bhakti Type: shanta

FAQs

What is the significance of performing tapas in the ocean in the Vishnu Purana?

It signifies an extreme, disciplined vow: enduring harsh conditions while remaining established in dharma, a Purāṇic sign of single-pointed spiritual resolve aimed at divine favor.

How does Sage Parāśara explain disciplined dharma (apṛthag-dharma) in this verse?

He presents dharma as a unified, collective observance—“not separate”—showing that steadfast adherence to righteous conduct is the foundation that empowers austerity to bear spiritual fruit.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Though not named in the verse, the Vishnu Purana frames such dharmic austerity as ultimately oriented toward the Supreme Reality—Vishnu—whose grace perfects and fulfills the aim of tapas.