Shloka 26
लोकसंस्थानम्, ग्रहदूरी-प्रमाणम्, ब्रह्माण्डावरणानि, विष्णोः जगत्कारणत्वम्
तद् अनन्तम् असंख्यातप्रमाणं चापि वै यतः हेतुभूतम् अशेषस्य प्रकृतिः सा परा मुने
tad anantam asaṃkhyātapramāṇaṃ cāpi vai yataḥ hetubhūtam aśeṣasya prakṛtiḥ sā parā mune
That Supreme Principle is endless, and its measure is beyond calculation; for it is the causal ground of all, without remainder. That is the higher Prakṛti, O sage.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Nature of the Supreme as infinite cause and ‘higher prakṛti’ beyond calculation
Teaching: Philosophical
Quality: authoritative
Creation Stage: Primary
Concept: The Supreme is endless and unmeasurable because it is the universal causal ground; it is called the ‘higher Prakṛti’.
Vedantic Theme: Brahman
Application: Practice discernment of cause and effect: trace experiences back to their sustaining ground, cultivating surrender to the ultimate cause.
Vishishtadvaita: The ‘higher prakṛti’ language supports the Lord’s inseparable immanence as the inner basis of all while remaining supreme and infinite.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Bhakti Type: Shanta
Antaryamin: Yes
Jagat Karana: Yes
FAQs
This verse defines Para Prakriti as infinite and immeasurable, presenting it as the ultimate causal basis from which all existence proceeds.
He states that the highest Prakriti is beyond counting or measure precisely because it stands as the cause of everything, leaving nothing outside its scope.
Even when phrased as “Para Prakriti,” the teaching supports the Vishnu Purana’s Vaishnava metaphysics: the supreme, limitless reality behind creation is ultimately grounded in the Highest Being identified with Vishnu.