Shloka 17
Cosmic Appointments, Viṣṇu’s Vibhūtis, Fourfold Operation, and the Symbolism of Ornaments and Weapons
पशूनां ये च पतयः पतयो ये च पक्षिणाम् मनुष्याणां च सर्पाणां नागानां चाधिपास् तु ये
paśūnāṃ ye ca patayaḥ patayo ye ca pakṣiṇām manuṣyāṇāṃ ca sarpāṇāṃ nāgānāṃ cādhipās tu ye
All who stand as lords among cattle and beasts, all who rule among birds, and all who preside over humans—together with those who govern serpents and the Nāgas—each is but an office within the single, all-pervading sovereignty of the Supreme Lord.
Sage Parāśara (speaking to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: How lordship extends across animals, birds, humans, serpents, and nāgas under the Supreme.
Teaching: Cosmological
Quality: authoritative
Concept: Authority and rulership are not limited to humans: every class of life has its presiding ‘lords,’ all encompassed by the single sovereignty of the Supreme.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Adopt reverence toward non-human life and habitats; practice non-cruelty and stewardship as service to the Lord present in all orders of beings.
Vishishtadvaita: The Lord’s immanence coordinates a real plurality of living orders (cit) and their governance within His body (śarīra-śarīrī-bhāva).
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Lakshmi Presence: Bhumi
Antaryamin: Yes
FAQs
The verse frames all such rulers as part of a cosmic administration, implying that every domain of life has order, and that this order ultimately rests on the Supreme Lord’s sovereignty.
By listing multiple classes of beings and their respective leaders, Parāśara shows that authority exists at every level of creation, yet it is not independent—it is a delegated function within the Lord’s all-encompassing rule.
Vishnu is implied as the Supreme Reality whose sustaining power underlies every form of governance; even the greatest ‘lords’ among species operate through His overarching presence and will.