Shloka 30
सप्तद्वीप-समुद्र-प्रमाणम्: प्लक्षादि-द्वीपवर्णनं, लोकालोक-सीमा, चन्द्र-समुद्र-वृद्धिक्षयः
शाल्मले ये तु वर्णाश् च वसन्त्य् एते महामुने कपिलाश् चारुणाः पीताः कृष्णाश् चैव पृथक् पृथक्
śālmale ye tu varṇāś ca vasanty ete mahāmune kapilāś cāruṇāḥ pītāḥ kṛṣṇāś caiva pṛthak pṛthak
O great sage, the varṇas (peoples) dwelling in Śālmaladvīpa are distinct: some are kapila (tawny), some aruna (ruddy), some pīta (yellow), and some kṛṣṇa (black), each set apart in its own kind.
Sage Parāśara (speaking to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Description of the peoples of Śālmaladvīpa and their distinct physical complexions.
Teaching: Cosmological
Quality: descriptive, ethnographic
Cosmic Hierarchy: Dvipas (continents)
Concept: Human diversity is presented as a regional feature within the cosmic order rather than as a spiritual hierarchy.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Approach descriptions of bodily difference as contextual cosmography; cultivate equal regard (sama-darśana) and focus on virtues and devotion rather than externals.
Vishishtadvaita: All embodied beings, though varied in attributes, are equally śeṣa (dependent) upon the Lord; plurality of bodies does not negate unity of divine indwelling governance.
Vishnu Form: Narayana (cosmic)
FAQs
In this verse, Śālmaladvīpa is presented as one of the Purāṇic continental realms where humanity appears in distinct groups, illustrating the text’s broader cosmic-geographical ordering of the world.
Parāśara describes the inhabitants as separate groups characterized by different complexions (kapila, aruṇa, pīta, kṛṣṇa), treating diversity as part of the structured cosmic landscape he is narrating to Maitreya.
Even when Vishnu is not named in the verse, the Vishnu Purana frames such cosmic arrangements as expressions of the sustaining, ordering power of Vishnu—the Supreme Reality who upholds the universe’s harmonious structure.