Shloka 38
नग्न-परिभाषा तथा देव-स्तोत्रपूर्वक मायामोह-उत्पत्ति
Defining ‘Nagna’ and the Devas’ Hymn Leading to Māyāmoha
यद्य् अप्य् अशेषभूतस्य वयं ते च तवांशकाः तथाप्य् अविद्याभेदेन भिन्नं पश्यामहे जगत्
yady apy aśeṣabhūtasya vayaṃ te ca tavāṃśakāḥ tathāpy avidyābhedena bhinnaṃ paśyāmahe jagat
Although we—and you as well—are but portions of You, the One who is the essence of all beings, still, because ignorance creates the sense of division, we perceive this world as though it were separate and manifold.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
Concept: Though all beings are truly portions (aṃśa) of the all-pervading Lord, avidyā superimposes difference so the world appears manifold.
Vedantic Theme: Maya
Application: Practice viveka (discrimination) and contemplative remembrance that the Lord is the inner Self of all, reducing egoic separateness.
Vishishtadvaita: Affirms the Lord as the inner Self (antaryāmin) of all beings while explaining perceived plurality as due to ignorance, aligning with unity-in-difference.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Bhakti Type: Shanta
Antaryamin: Yes
FAQs
It explains why the single Supreme Reality is experienced as a divided world—difference is a perception produced by ignorance, not an ultimate separation from Vishnu.
He states that all beings (including the speaker and listener) are ‘aṃśas’—dependent portions—of Vishnu, who is the essence of all existence, even though they appear distinct in ordinary experience.
Vishnu is presented as the supreme ground of all beings; the world’s multiplicity does not negate His sovereignty, since all apparent differences rest upon Him.