Shloka 32
वेणुरन्ध्रविभेदेन भेदः षड्जादिसंज्ञितः अभेदव्यापिनो वायोस् तथा तस्य महात्मनः
veṇurandhravibhedena bhedaḥ ṣaḍjādisaṃjñitaḥ abhedavyāpino vāyos tathā tasya mahātmanaḥ
By the differing apertures of the flute, distinctions arise that are known as the notes beginning with ṣaḍja; yet the wind that pervades them is itself undivided—and so too is that great-souled Reality which, though one, appears as many.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
Concept: Just as one undivided wind produces many musical notes through different flute apertures, the one Reality appears as many through differing conditions.
Vedantic Theme: Maya
Application: When encountering diversity and conflict, recall the ‘flute-and-wind’ model: respond to forms without forgetting the single underlying consciousness.
Vishishtadvaita: Explains plurality as real modes/expressions conditioned by upādhis while the pervading principle remains one—amenable to qualified non-dual unity-in-diversity.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
It explains how many distinct forms (like musical notes) can arise from different conditions, while the underlying pervading principle (like wind/breath) remains one and undivided.
He shows that differentiation belongs to the ‘channels’ or limiting conditions (the flute holes), not to the pervading essence; likewise, the Supreme remains one even when experienced as manifold.
The verse supports a Vaishnava metaphysics where the Supreme (identified with Vishnu in the Purana’s broader teaching) is the all-pervading reality—unchanged in essence, yet the ground of all manifested plurality.