Shloka 7
नग्न-परिभाषा तथा देव-स्तोत्रपूर्वक मायामोह-उत्पत्ति
Defining ‘Nagna’ and the Devas’ Hymn Leading to Māyāmoha
इदं च श्रूयताम् अन्यद् भीष्माय सुमहात्मने कथयाम् आस धर्मज्ञो वसिष्ठो ऽस्मत्पितामहः
idaṃ ca śrūyatām anyad bhīṣmāya sumahātmane kathayām āsa dharmajño vasiṣṭho 'smatpitāmahaḥ
And now, hear yet another account: to the great-souled Bhīṣma, our grandsire Vasiṣṭha—knower of dharma—once related this very teaching.
Sage Parāśara (continuing the Purāṇic narration to Maitreya; invoking an earlier transmission by Vasiṣṭha to Bhīṣma)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Introduction of an authoritative precedent: Vasiṣṭha’s dharma-instruction to Bhīṣma as supporting testimony for the teaching being given.
Teaching: Historical
Quality: authoritative; citing revered lineage of instruction
Concept: Dharma-teaching is validated through guru–paramparā: what is taught here is also what Vasiṣṭha once taught Bhīṣma.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Seek guidance from reliable lineages and tested exemplars; verify one’s practice through śāstra and respected teachers rather than private opinion.
Vishishtadvaita: Paramparā-based instruction aligns with Viśiṣṭādvaita’s emphasis on śāstra-guru as pramāṇa for knowing the Supreme and right conduct.
FAQs
It anchors the dynastic and dharma narrative in a respected transmission line: Vasiṣṭha as a dharma-knowing seer and Bhīṣma as a paradigmatic authority on kingship and duty.
By citing an earlier narration—Vasiṣṭha’s teaching to Bhīṣma—the text signals continuity of tradition and frames genealogy as preserved dharma-knowledge rather than mere history.
Even when Vishnu is not named in the verse, the Purāṇic method presents dharma and royal lineages as operating under the sovereignty of the Supreme Reality (Vishnu), whose order sustains history, kingship, and moral law.