Shloka 109
Pracetās, Māriṣā, Dakṣa’s Re-manifestation, and the Brahma-parastava; Cyclic Creation and Genealogies
ये त्व् अनेकवसुप्राणा देवा ज्योतिःपुरोगमाः वसवो ऽष्टौ समाख्यातास् तेषां वक्ष्यामि विस्तरम्
ye tv anekavasuprāṇā devā jyotiḥpurogamāḥ vasavo 'ṣṭau samākhyātās teṣāṃ vakṣyāmi vistaram
Now, those radiant gods—whose very life-breath is manifold sustaining power and wealth, and who move with light at their head—are known as the eight Vasus. Their full account I shall now set forth in detail.
Sage Parāśara (speaking to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Identification and detailed listing of the eight Vasus
Teaching: Cosmological
Quality: authoritative
Creation Stage: Secondary
Concept: The Vasus are luminous sustaining principles whose powers will be differentiated and explained as part of cosmic order.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Reflect on sustaining forces (water, fire, wind, stability) as sacred supports, encouraging gratitude and responsible living.
Vishishtadvaita: Cosmic powers are distinct yet coordinated under the one supreme governor, preserving unity-in-diversity.
Vishnu Form: Hari
Jagat Karana: Yes
FAQs
This verse introduces the Vasus as an eightfold divine order associated with sustaining powers and luminous function in the cosmos, preparing the reader for their detailed enumeration and roles.
Parāśara frames the devas by functional classification—here, naming the Vasus as a distinct group—and signals that he will describe their identities and scope in detail as part of the creation-order narrative.
Even when Vishnu is not named in the verse, the Purana’s cosmology treats such deva-orders as operating within the universal order ultimately grounded in and governed by Vishnu as the Supreme Reality.