Shloka 98

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

Devanagari script

ज्ञात्वा प्रमाणं पृथ्व्याश् च प्रजाः स्रक्ष्यामहे ततः

Transliteration

jñātvā pramāṇaṃ pṛthvyāś ca prajāḥ srakṣyāmahe tataḥ

Translation

Having ascertained the true measure of the Earth, we shall thereafter bring forth the generations of beings and set them in due order.

Word by Word

• jñātvā: having known
• jñātvā: Purvakala-kriya (Prior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √jñā (धातु) + त्वा (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (absolutive/gerund) — "having known"

• pramāṇam: measure/extent
• pramāṇam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pramāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• pṛthvyāḥ: of the earth
• pṛthvyāḥ: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pṛthvī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• prajāḥ: creatures/offspring
• prajāḥ: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prajā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• srakṣyāmahe: we shall create/produce
• srakṣyāmahe: Kriya (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sṛj (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (Simple Future), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद

• tataḥ: then/thereafter
• tataḥ: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; तस्मात्/ततः—क्रम/कारणवाचक (then/thereafter)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: How progeny and cosmic ordering proceed, including the impulse to measure/know the Earth before generating beings.

Teaching: Cosmological

Quality: authoritative

Cosmological Context

Creation Stage: Secondary

Cosmic Hierarchy: Brahmanda (universe)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Creation is portrayed as orderly and intelligible: knowing the ‘measure’ (structure/limits) of the world precedes the proper establishment of beings within it.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Before expanding projects or responsibilities, first understand the ‘field’ (constraints, scope, purpose) so that growth remains ordered and sustainable.

Vishishtadvaita: The world’s structure and its inhabitants are meaningful parts of the Lord’s ordered manifestation (viśiṣṭa), not a chaotic or purposeless appearance.

Dynasty & Genealogy

Key Kings: Śabalāśva

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Narayana (cosmic)

Lakshmi Presence: Bhumi (earth)

Jagat Karana: Yes

Characters & Entities

• Earth (Pṛthvī)
• Prajā (created beings)

FAQs

What is the significance of measuring the Earth (pṛthvī-pramāṇa) in the Vishnu Purana?

It signals that creation is structured: the world’s extent and divisions are established first, and only then are beings generated to inhabit that ordered cosmos.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the sequence of creation in this context?

Parāśara presents a procedural cosmology—first determining the cosmic framework (measure/standard), then bringing forth prajā—emphasizing intelligible order in the unfolding of the world.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu here?

Even when not named in the verse, the Vishnu Purana’s underlying view is that such lawful order and measured creation rest on Vishnu as the supreme sustaining reality behind cosmic governance.