Shloka 64

Devanagari script

ऋषीणां नामधेयानि यथा वेदश्रुतानि वै यथा नियोगयोग्यानि सर्वेषाम् अपि सो ऽकरोत्

Transliteration

ṛṣīṇāṃ nāmadheyāni yathā vedaśrutāni vai yathā niyogayogyāni sarveṣām api so 'karot

Translation

He arranged the sages’ names exactly as they are heard in the Veda, and He assigned to all of them their proper sacred appointments, each according to fitness for the commission.

Word by Word

• ऋषीणाम्: of the sages
• ऋषीणाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी (6/षष्ठी), बहुवचन (Genitive plural)

• नामधेयानि: names/appellations
• नामधेयानि: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नामधेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया (2/द्वितीया), बहुवचन (Accusative plural)

• यथा: as; according to
• यथा: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमान/प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (as/according as)

• वेदश्रुतानि: heard in the Veda
• वेदश्रुतानि: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + श्रुत (कृदन्त; √श्रु, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया (2/द्वितीया), बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; तत्पुरुषः (वेदे श्रुतानि) (heard in the Veda)

• वै: indeed
• वै: निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: खलु/नूनम्-अर्थक-निपात (emphatic particle)

• यथा: as; in such a way that
• यथा: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (as/so that)

• नियोगयोग्यानि: fit for their respective functions
• नियोगयोग्यानि: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नियोग (प्रातिपदिक) + योग्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया (2/द्वितीया), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (नियोगाय योग्य) (fit for appointment/assignment)

• सर्वेषाम्: of all
• सर्वेषाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्गे, षष्ठी (6/षष्ठी), बहुवचन (Genitive plural)

• अपि: also
• अपि: निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अपि-अर्थक-निपात (also/even)

• सः: he
• सः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1/प्रथमा), एकवचन; सर्वनाम (Nominative singular)

• अकरोत्: made; assigned
• अकरोत्: क्रिया (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन (he made/assigned)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: How ṛṣi identities and their commissions (niyoga) are established according to Vedic hearing and fitness.

Teaching: Historical

Quality: authoritative

Cosmological Context

Creation Stage: Secondary

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The Lord establishes the ṛṣis’ names as heard in the Veda and assigns each a fitting commission, ensuring continuity of sacred duty and transmission.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Honor lineage-based learning and competency: seek qualified teachers, accept responsibilities suited to one’s capacity, and preserve integrity in study and teaching.

Vishishtadvaita: Divine governance includes structured revelation and authorized transmitters (ṛṣis), supporting a personal Lord who orders knowledge and duty for the welfare of the world.

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Narayana

Jagat Karana: Yes

Characters & Entities

• Rishis
• Veda

FAQs

What is the significance of Vedic authority (śruti) in this Vishnu Purana verse?

The verse grounds the register of sages in what is "heard in the Veda," asserting śruti as the highest standard for preserving authentic names, roles, and continuity of tradition.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the idea of niyoga (appointed duty) here?

Parāśara presents niyoga as role-assignment based on yogyatā (fitness), implying that sacred offices and responsibilities are not arbitrary but aligned with capability and dharma.

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

Though Vishnu is not named in the verse, the theme reflects a Vaishnava view of cosmic sovereignty: a divinely sustained order where Vedic revelation and dharmic appointments maintain harmony across ages and lineages.