Shloka 18
आदित्यकर्म, त्रयीमयी वैष्णवी शक्तिः, सवितुरन्तर्यामी
The Sun’s Function and Vishnu’s Vedic Śakti within Savitṛ
नोदेता नास्तमेता च कदाचिच् छक्तिरूपधृक् विष्णुर् विष्णोः पृथक् तस्य गणः सप्तविधो ऽप्य् अयम्
nodetā nāstametā ca kadācic chaktirūpadhṛk viṣṇur viṣṇoḥ pṛthak tasya gaṇaḥ saptavidho 'py ayam
Vishnu, abiding as the very form of Śakti, never rises and never sets at any time. Yet, in manifestation, this host of His powers—distinct from Vishnu—is declared to be sevenfold.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Nature of Vaiṣṇava śakti and its sevenfold manifestation while Viṣṇu remains unchanging
Teaching: Devotional
Quality: authoritative
Concept: Viṣṇu as Śakti-svarūpa is ever the same, while His śaktis manifest distinctly in a sevenfold classification without compromising His transcendence.
Vedantic Theme: Brahman
Application: Contemplate the Lord as immutable while recognizing changing phenomena as His dependent powers; this steadies the mind in devotion and discernment.
Vishishtadvaita: Śaktis are real and dependent modes (prakāras) of the one Viṣṇu, preserving unity-with-difference (viśeṣaṇa-viśeṣya-bhāva).
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Bhakti Type: Shanta
Lakshmi Presence: Sri
Jagat Karana: Yes
FAQs
It asserts Vishnu’s transcendence: unlike changing cosmic entities, He is timeless and not subject to cycles of appearance and disappearance.
He presents Vishnu as inherently ‘of the nature of Śakti’ while also speaking of a distinct, describable set of powers—indicating inseparability in essence with distinction in manifestation and function.
Vishnu is established as the Supreme Reality (Para Brahman) whose ordered powers structure the universe, supporting classical Vaishnava interpretations that emphasize both sovereignty and purposeful manifestation.