Shloka 16
मानवसर्गः, चातुर्वर्ण्य-गुणकर्म, यज्ञ-प्रतिपादनम्, आश्रमधर्म-फल, नरकवर्णनम्
ततः सा सहजा सिद्धिस् तेषां नातीव जायते रसोल्लासादयश् चान्याः सिद्धयो ऽष्टौ भवन्ति याः
tataḥ sā sahajā siddhis teṣāṃ nātīva jāyate rasollāsādayaś cānyāḥ siddhayo 'ṣṭau bhavanti yāḥ
Thereafter, their innate perfection scarcely arises; instead, eight other attainments appear, beginning with rasollāsa (exalted relish). Yet these are ancillary powers, not the Supreme consummation realized in Lord Viṣṇu.
Sage Parāśara (in instruction to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Why true siddhi (perfection) is scarce and lesser siddhis arise instead
Teaching: Devotional
Quality: revealing
Concept: Natural perfection is rare; ancillary attainments may arise, but the supreme consummation is realization of Viṣṇu as the final Reality.
Vedantic Theme: Moksha
Application: Treat extraordinary experiences and ‘powers’ as distractions; anchor practice in humility, śāstra-guided devotion, and remembrance of Viṣṇu as the goal.
Vishishtadvaita: Affirms a personal Absolute—Viṣṇu as paramārtha—toward whom all attainments are subordinate; liberation is fulfillment in relation to Him, not mere power.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
They are presented as secondary yogic by-products—eight in number—arising in practice, but not identical with the highest innate perfection or final liberation.
Parāśara frames siddhis as limited attainments that may appear on the path, whereas liberation is the culminating realization oriented toward Viṣṇu as the Supreme end, not toward powers.
Even when discussing yogic attainments, the Purana’s trajectory keeps Viṣṇu as the ultimate reality and goal, implying that powers are subordinate to devotion and liberating knowledge centered on Him.