Shloka 24
अष्टमो ऽनुग्रहः सर्गः सात्त्विकस् तामसश् च सः पञ्चैते वैकृताः सर्गाः प्राकृतास् तु त्रयः स्मृताः
aṣṭamo 'nugrahaḥ sargaḥ sāttvikas tāmasaś ca saḥ pañcaite vaikṛtāḥ sargāḥ prākṛtās tu trayaḥ smṛtāḥ
The eighth creation is called Anugraha—grace and guidance—appearing in both sāttvika and tāmasa modes. These five are known as the vaikṛta (derivative) creations, while the prākṛta (primordial) creations are remembered as three.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Definition of the eighth ‘anugraha’ creation and the division of creations into vaikṛta vs prākṛta
Teaching: Cosmological
Quality: revealing
Creation Stage: Secondary
Concept: Beyond biological orders, there is an ‘anugraha-sarga’—a creation characterized by grace and guidance—manifesting through both sāttvika and tāmasa dispositions, while the overall sargas divide into five derivative (vaikṛta) and three primordial (prākṛta).
Vedantic Theme: Moksha
Application: Recognize that spiritual progress is also ‘given’: seek sāttvika supports (satsaṅga, śāstra, worship) and transform tāmasa inertia through disciplined practice and prayer for anugraha.
Vishishtadvaita: Anugraha (divine favor) is integral to liberation: the Lord’s real, personal grace operates within guṇa-conditioned lives without negating their agency.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Jagat Karana: Yes
FAQs
It identifies a mode of creation characterized by “grace” or beneficent ordering—how beings are directed and uplifted (or constrained) through the play of sattva and tamas within the created order.
He distinguishes primordial (prākṛta) creations arising from prakṛti itself from derivative (vaikṛta) creations that are modifications and developments within the manifested cosmos, organized into a counted set.
Even while describing prakṛti, guṇas, and categories of sarga, the Purāṇic intent is that the cosmos is ultimately ordered under Vishnu’s sovereignty—creation is not random, but governed and sustained by the Supreme Reality.