Shloka 13

नैमित्तिक-प्राकृत-प्रलयवर्णनम्

Periodic and Elemental Dissolution; Reabsorption into Paramātman

Devanagari script

महदादेर् विकारस्य विशेषान्तस्य संक्षये कृष्णेच्छाकारिते तस्मिन् प्रवृत्ते प्रतिसंचरे

Transliteration

mahadāder vikārasya viśeṣāntasya saṃkṣaye kṛṣṇecchākārite tasmin pravṛtte pratisaṃcare

Translation

When the entire chain of evolutes—from Mahat to the particularized elements—reaches dissolution, the reverse-withdrawal (pratisaṃcara) begins by the will of Kṛṣṇa (Vishnu), who impels and governs the process.

Word by Word

• महदादेः: of (that which begins with) Mahat
• महदादेः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (महतः आदिः)

• विकारस्य: of the modification/evolute
• विकारस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन

• विशेषान्तस्य: ending in the particulars (viśeṣas)
• विशेषान्तस्य: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विशेष (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (विशेषः अन्तः यस्य) विशेषणम् (विकारस्य)

• संक्षये: at the dissolution
• संक्षये: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संक्षय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• कृष्णेच्छाकारिते: brought about by Krishna’s will
• कृष्णेच्छाकारिते: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + इच्छा (प्रातिपदिक) + कारित (कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (कृष्णस्य इच्छा-कारितम्) विशेषणम् (तस्मिन्/प्रतिसंचरे)

• तस्मिन्: in that
• तस्मिन्: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• प्रवृत्ते: when it has commenced
• प्रवृत्ते: Adhikarana (Locative absolute/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रवृत् (धातु) → प्रवृत्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्तः; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; ‘प्रवृत्ते (सति)’

• प्रतिसंचरे: in the re-absorption (returning dissolution)
• प्रतिसंचरे: Adhikarana (Occasion/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिसंचर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: How pratisaṁcara withdraws the tattvas from mahad to the gross elements, and who initiates it

Teaching: Cosmological

Quality: revealing

Cosmological Context

Creation Stage: Primary

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The entire evolution-chain (from Mahat to the particular elements) is reabsorbed in reverse order by the will of Kṛṣṇa, who impels and governs dissolution.

Vedantic Theme: Brahman

Application: Meditate on the dependence of mind and matter on a higher governor to stabilize detachment and devotion amid change.

Vishishtadvaita: The Lord (Kṛṣṇa/Nārāyaṇa) is both efficient controller (niyantṛ/antaryāmin) and material ground, directing pratisaṁcara without losing transcendence.

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Hari

Bhakti Type: Shanta

Antaryamin: Yes

Jagat Karana: Yes

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu (Kṛṣṇa)
• Prakṛti (implied)
• Viśeṣas (gross elements, implied)

FAQs

What is the significance of pratisaṃcara (reverse-withdrawal) in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse frames dissolution as an orderly reabsorption of all evolutes—from Mahat down to the gross particulars—back into their causes, emphasizing a cyclic cosmic rhythm rather than chaos.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the role of divine will in dissolution?

Parāśara states that the dissolution-process begins specifically through Kṛṣṇa’s will—Vishnu is not merely present but the conscious governor who initiates and directs the reabsorption of the cosmos.

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

Vishnu is presented as the Supreme Reality whose will stands behind prakṛtic processes; even Sāṃkhya-style cosmic mechanics operate under his sovereignty.