Shloka 122

Pracetās, Māriṣā, Dakṣa’s Re-manifestation, and the Brahma-parastava; Cyclic Creation and Genealogies

Devanagari script

हरश् च बहुरूपश् च त्र्यम्बकश् चापराजितः वृषाकपिश् च शंभुश् च कपर्दी रैवतस् तथा

Transliteration

haraś ca bahurūpaś ca tryambakaś cāparājitaḥ vṛṣākapiś ca śaṃbhuś ca kapardī raivatas tathā

Translation

He is Hara, the remover; Bahurūpa, of countless forms; Tryambaka, the three‑eyed Lord; and Aparājita, the unconquered. He is also called Vṛṣākapi, Śambhu, Kapardī, and Raivata.

Word by Word

हरःHara (a Rudra-name)

चand

बहुरूपःBahurūpa (many-formed; a name)

चand

त्र्यम्बकःTryambaka (three-eyed; a name)

चand

अपराजितःAparājita (unconquered; a name)

वृषाकपिःVṛṣākapi (a name)

चand

शंभुःŚambhu (a name)

चand

कपर्दीKapardī (wearing matted hair; a name)

रैवतःRaivata (a name)

तथाlikewise, also

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Names and forms of Rudra within the created order

Teaching: Cosmological

Quality: authoritative

Cosmological Context

Creation Stage: Secondary

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The one Lord is indicated by many names and aspects, yet remains unconquered and unchanged, so plurality of epithets does not negate unity of ultimate reality.

Vedantic Theme: Brahman

Application: Use divine names as contemplative supports (nāma-smaraṇa) while holding the insight that all forms point to one sovereign reality.

Vishishtadvaita: Unity-in-plurality: the Supreme remains one while manifesting real, distinguishable powers and forms as His attributes and modes.

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman

Bhakti Type: Shanta

Antaryamin: Yes

Jagat Karana: Yes

Characters & Entities

Vishnu

Rudra/Shiva (epithets)

FAQs

What is the significance of listing names like Hara, Tryambaka, and Śambhu in the Vishnu Purana?

The verse uses revered epithets to indicate that the Supreme Lord pervades and presides over all divine functions—removal, protection, auspiciousness—while remaining one sovereign Reality.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the One Lord appearing as many forms?

By presenting multiple names in a single breath, Parāśara frames plurality of divine expressions (bahurūpa) as manifestations of a single supreme source, rather than separate ultimate principles.

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

Even when using titles commonly associated with Rudra, the Purana’s thrust is that Vishnu is the supreme, unconquered ground of cosmic order, within whom all divine aspects are harmonized.