Shloka 14
Pracetās, Māriṣā, Dakṣa’s Re-manifestation, and the Brahma-parastava; Cyclic Creation and Genealogies
सा तं प्राह महाभाग गन्तुम् इच्छाम्य् अहं दिवम् प्रसादसुमुखो ब्रह्मन्न् अनुज्ञां दातुम् अर्हसि
sā taṃ prāha mahābhāga gantum icchāmy ahaṃ divam prasādasumukho brahmann anujñāṃ dātum arhasi
She said to him: “O greatly fortunate one, I wish to depart for heaven. O Brahman, with a gracious countenance, you ought to grant me permission.”
A woman (unnamed in the provided excerpt) addressing a Brahman/sage
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: The turning point where the tempter seeks leave, revealing the fragile basis of the sage’s new attachment.
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: revealing
Concept: Pleasant speech can mask instrumental intent; discernment (viveka) must accompany compassion and courtesy.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: In relationships and workplaces, distinguish warmth of words from long-term alignment of values; pause before consenting when emotionally softened.
Vishishtadvaita: Ethical discernment is part of dharma-sādhana; the world and its agents are real, so the seeker must navigate them by aligning choices toward the Supreme good.
FAQs
The verse highlights dharmic restraint: even a personal spiritual departure to heaven is framed as something done with the consent and blessing of a respected authority, preserving social and moral order.
By being asked for consent, the Brahman functions as a guardian of dharma—one whose approval sanctifies a major transition and aligns it with righteous conduct.
Even without explicit mention, the Purāṇic worldview assumes a Vishnu-governed cosmic order in which heaven, duty, and rightful permission operate as parts of a divinely sustained moral universe.