Shloka 21
शिशुमार-रूपं, ध्रुवबन्धनम्, वृष्टिचक्र-पालनम्, नारायणाधारत्वम्
एवं यज्ञाश् च वेदाश् च वर्णाश् च द्विजपूर्वकाः सर्वे देवनिकायाश् च पशुभूतगणाश् च ये
evaṃ yajñāś ca vedāś ca varṇāś ca dvijapūrvakāḥ sarve devanikāyāś ca paśubhūtagaṇāś ca ye
Thus, the sacrifices and the Vedas, the social orders beginning with the twice-born, and indeed all the companies of the gods—together with the multitudes of animals and living beings—arise and are upheld within the ordained cosmic order.
Sage Parāśara (speaking to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: How the ordered world includes ritual, revelation, social structure, devas, and all beings as mutually upheld components
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: systematizing
Concept: Veda, yajña, varṇa-āśrama order, devas, animals, and all living multitudes are integrated within a single ordained cosmic arrangement.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: See social and ecological duties as interconnected—protect learning, uphold ethical roles, and practice non-violence and stewardship toward all beings.
Vishishtadvaita: The cosmos is an organic unity: diverse beings and institutions function as coordinated modes (prakāra) within the Lord’s single order.
FAQs
This verse groups yajña and the Vedas as foundational pillars of order, indicating that ritual and revelation jointly sustain dharma and the functioning of the cosmos.
He presents varṇa—starting with the dvijas—as part of the instituted framework through which Vedic knowledge and sacrificial duty are maintained in the world.
Even when Vishnu is not named in the line, the Vishnu Purana’s creation narrative treats these institutions—Vedas, yajña, gods, and beings—as operating under Vishnu’s supreme sovereignty and sustaining power.