Shloka 2
शक्तयः सर्वभावानाम् अचिन्त्यज्ञानगोचराः यतो ऽतो ब्रह्मणस् तास् तु सर्गाद्या भावशक्तयः भवन्ति तपतां श्रेष्ठ पावकस्य यथोष्णता
śaktayaḥ sarvabhāvānām acintyajñānagocarāḥ yato 'to brahmaṇas tās tu sargādyā bhāvaśaktayaḥ bhavanti tapatāṃ śreṣṭha pāvakasya yathoṣṇatā
The powers (śaktis) of all beings are inconceivable, beyond thought and ordinary knowledge. Therefore, O best of ascetics, they are understood as belonging to Brahman; from them arise the modes of becoming, beginning with creation—just as heat is inseparable from fire.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Resolution of how Brahman can be creator despite being nirguṇa: by inherent, inconceivable śaktis.
Teaching: Cosmological
Quality: authoritative, clarifying
Concept: Brahman possesses inconceivable śaktis that are inseparable from it, and through these powers creation and other transformations manifest—like heat inseparable from fire.
Vedantic Theme: Maya
Application: Hold together divine transcendence and immanence: treat the world as a real manifestation of God’s powers, encouraging reverence and ethical responsibility.
Vishishtadvaita: Affirms real, inseparable śaktis in Brahman (not mere illusion), supporting the Vishishtadvaita view of the universe as God’s body/mode while God remains pure.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Bhakti Type: Shanta
Jagat Karana: Yes
FAQs
It establishes that the universe’s transformations—starting with creation—arise from inherent, inseparable powers of Brahman, which are ultimately beyond ordinary cognition.
He teaches that creation is not external to the Supreme; it proceeds from Brahman’s own bhāva-śaktis, illustrated by the analogy that heat naturally belongs to fire.
The verse supports a Vaishnava metaphysics where the Supreme remains transcendent while His inherent energies account for cosmic manifestation and governance.