Shloka 6
मायामोह-प्रवर्तन, वेदमार्ग-बहिष्कार, तथा पाषण्ड-संसर्ग-दोषः
Māyāmoha’s Delusion, Rejection of the Vedic Path, and the Fault of Heretical Association
धर्मो विमुक्तेर् अर्हो ऽयं नैतस्माद् अपरः परः अत्रैवावस्थिताः स्वर्गं विमुक्तिं वा गमिष्यथ
dharmo vimukter arho 'yaṃ naitasmād aparaḥ paraḥ atraivāvasthitāḥ svargaṃ vimuktiṃ vā gamiṣyatha
This Dharma alone is truly worthy to lead one to liberation; there is no higher path beyond it, nor any superior means. Abiding firmly in it here itself, you shall attain either heaven—or final release.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
Concept: Dharma, firmly practiced here and now, is declared the unsurpassed means leading to either svarga (heavenly fruition) or vimukti (final release).
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Commit to consistent ethical living and restraint without postponing practice; treat everyday duties as the field where liberation-oriented character is formed.
Vishishtadvaita: Affirms a graded fruit structure (svarga/vimukti) while implying that the same dharmic life, when oriented to the Supreme, culminates in moksha—compatible with qualified non-dualism’s emphasis on disciplined surrender.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Bhakti Type: shanta
FAQs
This verse declares Dharma to be the most worthy and unsurpassed means leading to moksha, presenting righteous order as the direct route to ultimate freedom.
He states that steadfastness in Dharma yields two possible fruits—heavenly enjoyment (svarga) or liberation (vimukti)—depending on one’s spiritual maturity and orientation.
Though not named in the verse, Dharma in the Vishnu Purana is grounded in Vishnu’s sustaining sovereignty; living by Dharma is living in harmony with the Supreme Reality that upholds the cosmos.