Shloka 48
नैमित्तिक-प्राकृत-प्रलयवर्णनम्
Periodic and Elemental Dissolution; Reabsorption into Paramātman
व्यक्ते च प्रकृतौ लीने प्रकृत्यां पुरुषे तथा तत्र स्थिते निशा चान्या तत्प्रमाणा महामुने
vyakte ca prakṛtau līne prakṛtyāṃ puruṣe tathā tatra sthite niśā cānyā tatpramāṇā mahāmune
When the manifest world is dissolved into Prakṛti, and Prakṛti in turn is resolved into the Puruṣa, then—while that Supreme Principle abides in its own state—there occurs another Night, O great sage, of the same measure.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Cosmic night: dissolution of the manifest into prakṛti, and prakṛti into puruṣa, with an equal measure of 'night'
Teaching: Cosmological
Quality: authoritative
Creation Stage: Kalpa
Concept: Cosmic 'night' is described as the period when the manifest dissolves into prakṛti and prakṛti into puruṣa, while the Supreme abides unchanged.
Vedantic Theme: Maya
Application: Practice meditative 'withdrawal' (pratyāhāra) as a microcosmic reflection of cosmic reabsorption, resting awareness in the unchanging ground.
Vishishtadvaita: The Supreme remains self-established while dependent realities (world/prakṛti) retract, highlighting the Lord’s unchanging sovereignty amid real, subordinate transformations.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Bhakti Type: Shanta
Jagat Karana: Yes
FAQs
It marks a deeper stage of pralaya where even primordial nature subsides, leaving only the Supreme Principle (Puruṣa) abiding in itself—highlighting Vishnu’s transcendence over both matter and manifested worlds.
He describes an additional ‘Night’ occurring after successive dissolutions, and notes that its duration is the same measure as the previously stated cosmic night—emphasizing the fixed rhythm of universal cycles.
The verse underscores that when all levels of creation withdraw, the Supreme remains established in its own nature—supporting the Vaishnava view of Vishnu as the ultimate, enduring reality governing creation and dissolution.