Shloka 71
मायामोह-प्रवर्तन, वेदमार्ग-बहिष्कार, तथा पाषण्ड-संसर्ग-दोषः
Māyāmoha’s Delusion, Rejection of the Vedic Path, and the Fault of Heretical Association
तयैवं स्मारिते तत्र पूर्वजातिकृते तदा दध्यौ चिरम् अथावाप निर्वेदम् अतिदुर्लभम्
tayaivaṃ smārite tatra pūrvajātikṛte tadā dadhyau ciram athāvāpa nirvedam atidurlabham
Thus, when he was reminded by her of what had been done in a former birth, he sat for a long while in deep reflection; and then he attained that rarest of treasures—profound dispassion toward the world.
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: How recollection of prior births can catalyze nirveda (dispassion) and turn the mind toward liberation
Teaching: Devotional
Quality: compassionate
Concept: Remembered karmic history can ripen into rare nirveda, a turning away from saṃsāra that prepares the mind for liberation-seeking.
Vedantic Theme: Moksha
Application: Use honest self-review and contemplation of consequences to cultivate detachment and reorient life toward sādhana and service.
Vishishtadvaita: Nirveda is not self-annihilation but purification of the enduring jīva, enabling loving surrender to the Supreme as the liberating refuge.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman (philosophical)
Bhakti Type: Shanta (peaceful)
FAQs
This verse presents nirveda as “exceedingly rare,” arising when past-life karma is remembered, marking a decisive inner shift from worldly attachment toward spiritual pursuit.
Through the narrative device of being “reminded” of a former-birth deed, Parāśara shows that karma can mature as insight, triggering contemplation and a renunciant outlook.
Although Vishnu is not named in this verse, the Purana frames such awakening and dispassion as steps that ultimately orient the soul toward Vishnu as the Supreme Reality and the final refuge beyond samsara.