Shloka 31

यादवक्षयः, बलराम-निर्याणम्, कृष्णस्य उपसंहारः (प्रभासे विनाशः)

Devanagari script

नाशायास्य निमित्तानि कुलस्याच्युत लक्षये

Transliteration

nāśāyāsya nimittāni kulasyācyuta lakṣaye

Translation

O Acyuta, I discern the omens and the causes that are tending toward the ruin of this lineage.

Word by Word

• नाशाय: for destruction
• नाशाय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• अस्य: of this (one)
• अस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• निमित्तानि: causes, omens
• निमित्तानि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निमित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• कुलस्य: of the family
• कुलस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• अच्युत: O Acyuta
• अच्युत: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अच्युत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• लक्षये: I perceive, I notice
• लक्षये: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

A king or courtly observer addressing Lord Vishnu (Acyuta) in the dynastic narrative; framed by Sage Parāśara’s narration to Maitreya

Avatara Context

Avatara: Krishna

Purpose: Kṛṣṇa allows the destined dissolution of the Yādava line to conclude his avatāra-work and withdraw the manifest līlā.

Leela: Loka-rakshana

Dharma Restored: Completion of the avatāra-cycle and rebalancing of earthly power structures.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Even great lineages are subject to kāla; discerning signs should lead to humility and right action rather than pride.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Treat success and institutions as impermanent; act responsibly when warning signs appear, without losing devotion or clarity.

Vishishtadvaita: The Lord (Acyuta) remains unchanging while the dependent world undergoes change under his governance.

Dynasty & Genealogy

Dharma Exemplar: Viveka (discernment of kāla and omens)

Key Kings: Acyuta

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Hari

Bhakti Type: Dasya

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu (Acyuta)
• Dynasty (Kula)

FAQs

What is the significance of nimitta (omens/causes) in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse shows that dynastic collapse is not random: it is preceded by discernible signs (nimitta) that reflect the weakening of dharma and the approach of ruin.

How does Sage Parāśara frame the fall of dynasties in his teaching to Maitreya?

Within the genealogical narration, Parāśara presents history as morally structured—when rulers and clans deviate from dharma, recognizable causes and portents arise, culminating in decline.

What is the theological importance of addressing Vishnu as Acyuta here?

Calling Vishnu “Acyuta” emphasizes the Unchanging Supreme Lord who oversees changing historical fortunes; dynasties fall, but the divine sovereignty and cosmic order remain steady.