Shloka 17
स्वर्गगमनम्, अदितिस्तुतिः-मायातत्त्वम्, तथा पारिजात-प्रसङ्गे इन्द्रयुद्धम्
ब्रह्माद्याः सकला देवा मनुष्याः पशवस् तथा विष्णुमायामहावर्तमोहान्धतमसा वृताः
brahmādyāḥ sakalā devā manuṣyāḥ paśavas tathā viṣṇumāyāmahāvartamohāndhatamasā vṛtāḥ
Beginning with Brahmā, all the gods—along with human beings and even the animals—are enveloped by the blinding darkness of delusion, caught in the vast whirlpool of Viṣṇu’s Māyā.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya in the main dialogue frame of the Vishnu Purana)
Concept: Across all orders of beings—from Brahmā onward—creatures are enveloped by the blinding vortex of Viṣṇu’s māyā, showing the universality of delusion without divine refuge.
Vedantic Theme: Maya
Application: Replace spiritual complacency with humility: even exalted states and roles do not guarantee freedom from delusion; seek steady devotion and right knowledge.
Vishishtadvaita: Even Brahmā and the devas remain within prakṛti’s guṇic influence unless supported by the Lord’s grace, underscoring Viṣṇu’s supremacy and the jīva’s dependence.
Vishnu Form: Narayana
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
Māyā is presented as Viṣṇu’s vast cosmic power that can conceal reality and generate delusion, so that even exalted beings become covered by ignorance within worldly existence.
He frames delusion as a universal condition produced by Viṣṇu’s Māyā—meaning hierarchy of status does not automatically grant freedom from ignorance unless true knowledge and liberation are attained.
Viṣṇu is implied as the sovereign Supreme Reality whose Māyā governs manifestation and bondage; liberation therefore depends on transcending delusion through right realization and devotion oriented to Viṣṇu.