Shloka 46

स्वाध्याय-योगोपदेशः तथा केशिध्वज-खाण्डिक्य-उपाख्यानम्

Yoga through Study and Restraint; The Keśidhvaja–Khāṇḍikya Narrative Frame

Devanagari script

एवम् एतद् भवन्तो ऽत्र अर्थसाधनमन्त्रिणः परमार्थः कथं को ऽत्र यूयं नात्र विचक्षणाः

Transliteration

evam etad bhavanto 'tra arthasādhanamantriṇaḥ paramārthaḥ kathaṃ ko 'tra yūyaṃ nātra vicakṣaṇāḥ

Translation

So it is indeed. You are counsellors skilled in securing worldly ends; but the Supreme Truth (paramārtha)—how is it to be grasped here? Who truly knows it? In this matter, you are not discerning.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Sambandha (Manner/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्ययम् (adverb of manner)

• एतत्: this (is)
• एतत्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; सर्वनाम

• भवन्तः: you (honoured sirs)
• भवन्तः: Sambodhana/Address (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक/आदरार्थ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; आदरार्थक-संबोधनार्थेऽपि प्रयुज्यते

• अत्र: here
• अत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्ययम् (locative adverb)

• अर्थसाधनमन्त्रिणः: ministers who accomplish objectives
• अर्थसाधनमन्त्रिणः: Apposition (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ + साधन + मन्त्रिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (अर्थस्य साधनं येषां ते मन्त्रिणः / ‘ministers for accomplishing aims’)

• परमार्थः: the highest truth/ultimate purpose
• परमार्थः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; समासः—कर्मधारयः

• कथम्: how?
• कथम्: Sambandha (Question/प्रश्न)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कथम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रश्नार्थक-अव्ययम्

• कः: who?
• कः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; प्रश्नवाचक-सर्वनाम

• अत्र: here
• अत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्ययम्

• यूयम्: you
• यूयम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; सर्वनाम

• न: not
• न: Negation (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्ययम् (negation particle)

• अत्र: here/in this matter
• अत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्ययम्

• विचक्षणाः: discerning, wise
• विचक्षणाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम् (यूयम्)

Speaker

Uncertain from the isolated verse (likely a speaker within Parāśara’s narrated discourse to Maitreya in Ansha 1)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Differentiating worldly counsel (artha) from ultimate knowledge (paramārtha) in the context of liberation-oriented teaching.

Teaching: Philosophical

Quality: authoritative

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Competence in worldly means does not equal insight into paramārtha; ultimate truth requires a different kind of discernment.

Vedantic Theme: Brahman

Application: Balance professional skill with disciplined inquiry—study, reflection, and guidance from realized teachers.

Vishishtadvaita: Paramārtha is not an abstract void but knowledge oriented to the Supreme Person; worldly artha is subordinate to service of the Lord and liberation.

Dynasty & Genealogy

Dharma Exemplar: Viveka (discrimination between artha and paramārtha)

Key Kings: Khāṇḍikya

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman

FAQs

What is the significance of paramārtha (Supreme Truth) in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse contrasts practical, worldly competence with the rarer capacity for true insight into the highest reality, indicating that paramārtha requires discernment beyond ordinary strategy and achievement.

How does the Vishnu Purana distinguish between artha (worldly ends) and paramārtha (ultimate end)?

Here, artha is treated as something managed by advisers and techniques, while paramārtha is presented as a deeper truth that cannot be reached by mere worldly counsel without genuine spiritual clarity.

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

Though Vishnu is not named in this line, the Purana’s framework identifies the Supreme Truth ultimately with Vishnu; the verse underscores that realizing that Supreme requires true discernment, not just worldly expertise.