Shloka 48

स्वाध्याय-योगोपदेशः तथा केशिध्वज-खाण्डिक्य-उपाख्यानम्

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

Devanagari script

बाढम् इत्य् एव तेनोक्तः खाण्डिक्यस् तम् अथाब्रवीत् भवान् अध्यात्मविज्ञानपरमार्थविचक्षणः

Transliteration

bāḍham ity eva tenoktaḥ khāṇḍikyas tam athābravīt bhavān adhyātmavijñānaparamārthavicakṣaṇaḥ

Translation

When he replied, “So be it,” Khāṇḍikya said: “Sir, you are discerning in the inner knowledge of the Ātman and in the Supreme Truth (paramārtha).”

Word by Word

• बाढम्: certainly
• बाढम्: Discourse marker (स्वीकृति)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: बाढम् (अव्यय)
• Form: स्वीकृत्यर्थक-अव्ययम् (assent particle: certainly/yes)

• इति: thus
• इति: Discourse marker (इति)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उक्त्यादि-परामर्शक-अव्ययम्

• एव: indeed
• एव: Emphasis (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्ययम् (emphatic particle: indeed/just)

• तेन: by him
• तेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (करण), एकवचनम्; सर्वनाम

• उक्तः: (having been) spoken to
• उक्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्तः (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; कर्मणि-भावः ‘having been addressed/said to’

• खाण्डिक्यः: Khāṇḍikya
• खाण्डिक्यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खाण्डिक्य (प्रातिपदिक; व्यक्तिनाम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• तम्: to him
• तम्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; सर्वनाम

• अथ: then
• अथ: Discourse marker (क्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक-अव्ययम् (then/now)

• अब्रवीत्: said
• अब्रवीत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकारः (अनद्यतनभूत/Imperfect), प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्, परस्मैपदम्

• भवान्: you (sir)
• भवान्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक/आदरार्थ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; आदरार्थक-सर्वनाम

• अध्यात्मविज्ञानपरमार्थविचक्षणः: discerning in the highest truth of spiritual knowledge
• अध्यात्मविज्ञानपरमार्थविचक्षणः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अध्यात्म + विज्ञान + परमार्थ + विचक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमासः—‘अध्यात्मविज्ञानस्य परमार्थे विचक्षणः’ (skilled in the highest truth of spiritual knowledge); विशेषणम् (भवान्)

Speaker

Sage Khāṇḍikya (addressing another interlocutor in the moksha-teaching dialogue)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Affirmation of adhyātma-jñāna as the true qualification for guidance toward liberation.

Teaching: Philosophical

Quality: compassionate

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The highest qualification is adhyātma-vijñāna—discernment of the Self and paramārtha—worthy of reverence even from kings.

Vedantic Theme: Atman

Application: Prioritize learning from those established in inner discipline; measure teachers by realization and ethics, not status.

Vishishtadvaita: Adhyātma-knowledge culminates in recognizing the Self as dependent (śeṣa) upon the Supreme Lord, making reverence and surrender integral to wisdom.

Dynasty & Genealogy

Dharma Exemplar: Sat-saṅga (seeking and honoring the wise)

Key Kings: Khāṇḍikya, Keśidhvaja

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman

Bhakti Type: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Khāṇḍikya

FAQs

What is the significance of adhyātma-vijñāna in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse highlights adhyātma-vijñāna—inner, experiential spiritual knowledge—as a recognized qualification for entering deeper instruction on liberation and ultimate truth.

How does the Vishnu Purana frame paramārtha (ultimate truth) in its moksha teachings?

Here, “paramārtha” is treated as a distinct, higher aim of inquiry—something to be discerned through mature spiritual understanding—setting the stage for teachings that culminate in realizing the Supreme Reality.

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

Although Vishnu is not named in this line, the moksha section of the Vishnu Purana typically orients “ultimate truth” toward the Supreme Reality, ultimately grounded in Vishnu as the highest principle to be known and realized.