Shloka 1

विष्ण्वाराधन-फलम् तथा वर्णधर्माः

Worship of Vishnu through Varṇa-dharma

Devanagari script

भगवन् भगवान् देवः संसारविजिगीषुभिः समाख्याहि जगन्नाथो विष्णुर् आराध्यते यथा

Transliteration

bhagavan bhagavān devaḥ saṃsāravijigīṣubhiḥ samākhyāhi jagannātho viṣṇur ārādhyate yathā

Translation

O venerable one, O divine Lord, please explain how Vishnu—the Lord of the universe—is to be worshipped by those who seek victory over saṃsāra.

Word by Word

• भगवन्: O venerable one
• भगवन्: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th), एकवचन

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord
• भगवान्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• देवः: the god
• देवः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (भगवान् इत्यस्य अप्पोजिशन)

• संसार-विजिगीषुभिः: by those wishing to conquer saṃsāra
• संसार-विजिगीषुभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संसार (प्रातिपदिक) + वि-जी (धातु) + इषुच्/इष्णु (कृदन्त: विजिगीषु)
• Form: तत्पुरुषः (संसारं विजेतुम् इच्छन्ति इति); ‘विजिगीषु’ (desiderative adjective-noun); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• समाख्याहि: tell/explain
• समाख्याहि: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-ख्या (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन

• जगत्-नाथः: Lord of the world
• जगत्-नाथः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक) + नाथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (जगतः नाथः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• विष्णुः: Viṣṇu
• विष्णुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• आराध्यते: is worshipped
• आराध्यते: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-राध् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; कर्मणि/भावे प्रयोगः (is worshipped)

• यथा: how, in what manner
• यथा: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमान/प्रकारवाचक (manner)

Speaker

Maitreya (addressing Sage Parāśara)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Maitreya

Topic: How Jagannātha Viṣṇu is to be worshipped by those seeking victory over saṃsāra

Teaching: Devotional

Quality: seeking

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mokṣa from saṃsāra is sought through proper ārādhana (worship) of Viṣṇu as Jagannātha.

Vedantic Theme: Moksha

Application: Adopt a consistent daily practice of Viṣṇu-upāsanā—nāma-japa, pūjā, and surrender of actions—aimed at inner freedom rather than mere worldly gain.

Vishishtadvaita: Liberation is approached through personal devotion to the Supreme Lord (Viṣṇu) who is the accessible master of the universe, not an impersonal absolute.

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman

Bhakti Type: Shanta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Jagannatha
• Maitreya
• Sage Parasara
• Samsara

FAQs

What is the significance of conquering saṃsāra in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse frames the Purana’s spiritual aim: liberation is pursued by turning to Vishnu, the Lord of the world, through the right mode of worship that transcends worldly bondage.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the method of worship implied here?

Maitreya’s request sets up Parāśara’s forthcoming instruction: Vishnu is approached through a disciplined devotional path (upāsanā/ārādhanā) oriented toward the Supreme Lord rather than worldly gain.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Vishnu is presented as Jagannātha—the sovereign Supreme—whose worship is not merely ritual but a liberating relationship with the highest reality governing cosmic order.