Shloka 3

Cosmic Appointments, Viṣṇu’s Vibhūtis, Fourfold Operation, and the Symbolism of Ornaments and Weapons

Devanagari script

राज्ञां वैश्रवणं राज्ये जलानां वरुणं तथा आदित्यानां पतिं विष्णुं वसूनाम् अथ पावकम्

Transliteration

rājñāṃ vaiśravaṇaṃ rājye jalānāṃ varuṇaṃ tathā ādityānāṃ patiṃ viṣṇuṃ vasūnām atha pāvakam

Translation

In kingship among kings, He is Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera); among the waters, He is Varuṇa; among the Ādityas, He is Vishnu, their lord; and among the Vasus, He is Pāvaka, the purifying fire.

Word by Word

• राज्ञाम्: of kings
• राज्ञाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन

• वैश्रवणम्: Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera)
• वैश्रवणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्रवण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• राज्ये: in sovereignty/as ruler
• राज्ये: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन

• जलानाम्: of waters
• जलानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन

• वरुणम्: Varuṇa
• वरुणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वरुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• तथा: likewise; and so
• तथा: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण/समुच्चयार्थ)

• आदित्यानाम्: of the Ādityas
• आदित्यानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आदित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन

• पतिम्: lord
• पतिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• विष्णुम्: Viṣṇu
• विष्णुम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• वसूनाम्: of the Vasus
• वसूनाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन

• अथ: and then
• अथ: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (अनन्तर/समुच्चयार्थ—then/and)

• पावकम्: Pāvaka (Agni)
• पावकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पावक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: How the Supreme appears as ruling excellence within different classes (devatā-adhikāra/antaryāmitva)

Teaching: Devotional

Quality: revealing

Cosmological Context

Creation Stage: Secondary

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The one Supreme Reality is recognized through the highest governing power in each domain—wealth (Kubera), waters (Varuṇa), solar deities (Viṣṇu as Āditya), and the Vasus (fire).

Vedantic Theme: Brahman

Application: Practice contemplative recognition: wherever you see lawful/compiler-like governance in nature and society, trace it back to the Supreme indwelling ruler rather than stopping at the surface agent.

Vishishtadvaita: Antaryāmin doctrine: Viṣṇu is the inner ruler manifesting through distinct deities and forces without negating their real, dependent existence.

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman

Bhakti Type: Shanta

Antaryamin: Yes

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera)
• Varuṇa
• Ādityas
• Vasus
• Pāvaka (Agni)

FAQs

What is the significance of listing Kubera, Varuṇa, and Pāvaka in this Vishnu Purana verse?

It teaches that well-known cosmic administrators (wealth, waters, fire) are offices through which the Supreme—Vishnu—operates, establishing a unified divine sovereignty behind diverse powers.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the unity behind many deities here?

By identifying Vishnu with the presiding principle in each domain—kingship, waters, solar deities, and elemental forces—Parāśara frames the gods as functional expressions of one indwelling Lord.

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

Vishnu is presented as the supreme ruler who permeates and governs all cosmic roles, supporting a Vaishnava view where other deities are subordinate manifestations of His order and power.