Shloka 26
ऋभु–निदाघ-संवादः—अद्वैत-उपदेशः, समता, वासुदेव-स्वरूप-एकत्वम्
मृष्टं न मृष्टम् इत्य् एषा जिज्ञासा मे कृता तव किं वक्ष्यतीति तत्रापि श्रूयतां द्विजसत्तम
mṛṣṭaṃ na mṛṣṭam ity eṣā jijñāsā me kṛtā tava kiṃ vakṣyatīti tatrāpi śrūyatāṃ dvijasattama
I have asked you this very question—what is to be regarded as “cleansed” and what as “not cleansed”. Now hear also, O best among the twice-born, what is to be said in that matter.
Sage Parāśara (continuing his instruction to Maitreya; addressing him honorifically as dvijasattama)
Speaker: Maitreya
Topic: Criteria of ‘cleansed’ vs ‘not cleansed’ (mṛṣṭa/na mṛṣṭa), i.e., purity in conduct/ritual/inner state.
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: inquiring
Concept: The disciple seeks a clear standard for what counts as ‘pure’ and ‘impure’, inviting a teaching that typically integrates outer cleanliness with inner purity of mind and intention.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Balance external discipline (clean habits, truthful speech) with inner cleansing (reducing envy, anger, and craving) through prayer and self-audit.
Vishishtadvaita: Purity is oriented toward pleasing and realizing the indwelling Lord; inner states matter because the jīva is a real self meant for śeṣatva (belonging-to-God).
FAQs
This verse frames a doctrinal inquiry into how purity is determined—introducing a teaching segment where rules of conduct and discernment about purification are clarified.
Parāśara signals a structured reply: the question has been posed, and he invites attentive listening, indicating that the answer will be given as a reasoned exposition within the teacher–disciple dialogue.
Even when the immediate topic is purity, the Vishnu Purana typically situates dharma within cosmic order upheld by Vishnu—so ethical and ritual clarity ultimately supports alignment with the Supreme sustaining principle.