Shloka 51

अविद्याबीज-निरूपणं, योगस्वरूप-उपदेशः, मूर्तहरिधारणा-समाधि, जनकवंशीय-राजर्षिसंवादः

Devanagari script

हिरण्यगर्भादिषु च ब्रह्मकर्मात्मिका द्विधा अधिकारबोधयुक्तेषु विद्यते भावभावना

Transliteration

hiraṇyagarbhādiṣu ca brahmakarmātmikā dvidhā adhikārabodhayukteṣu vidyate bhāvabhāvanā

Translation

In Hiraṇyagarbha (Brahmā) and the like, there arises a twofold power of contemplation, taking the form of Brahmā’s cosmic activity; in those whose understanding of their rightful sphere is awakened, it fashions and sustains the dispositions and states of being.

Word by Word

• हिरण्यगर्भादिषु: in (the beings) beginning with Hiraṇyagarbha
• हिरण्यगर्भादिषु: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हिरण्यगर्भ + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), बहुवचन; ‘हिरण्यगर्भ-आदि’ इति समासः (आदि-शब्देन सह)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction/and)

• ब्रह्मकर्मात्मिका: having the nature of Brahman and action
• ब्रह्मकर्मात्मिका: Visheshana (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्म + कर्म + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; ‘ब्रह्म-कर्म-आत्मिक’ इति समासः, भावभावनायाः विशेषणम्

• द्विधा: in two ways
• द्विधा: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: द्विधा (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• अधिकारबोधयुक्तेषु: in those endowed with awareness of eligibility/authority
• अधिकारबोधयुक्तेषु: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधिकार + बोध + युक्त (कृदन्त; √युज्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), बहुवचन; ‘अधिकार-बोध-युक्त’ इति समासः

• विद्यते: exists/is found
• विद्यते: Kriya (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √विद् (विद्)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• भावभावना: the contemplation/realization of being
• भावभावना: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाव + भावना (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; ‘भावस्य भावना’/‘भावरूपा भावना’ इत्यर्थे समासः

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Nature of Brahman/knowledge and how differentiated states arise through cosmic functions and contemplation

Teaching: Philosophical

Quality: authoritative

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: In beings such as Hiraṇyagarbha, a twofold contemplative potency aligned with cosmic office operates, shaping and sustaining dispositions and states for those who know their rightful sphere.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Discriminate between one’s role/adhikāra and the inner intention behind actions; cultivate reflective awareness that purifies mental dispositions rather than reinforcing egoic agency.

Vishishtadvaita: Cosmic functions (e.g., Brahmā’s activity) are real powers dependent on the Supreme, indicating an ordered universe sustained by the indwelling Lord.

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman

Bhakti Type: Shanta

Antaryamin: Yes

Jagat Karana: Yes

Characters & Entities

• Hiranyagarbha (Brahma)
• Brahma

FAQs

What is the significance of Hiraṇyagarbha in the Vishnu Purana?

Hiraṇyagarbha refers to Brahmā as the cosmic intellect/creator-function through whom ordered creation proceeds, operating as an instrument within the higher sovereignty of Vishnu.

How does Sage Parāśara explain adhikāra (proper authority or sphere) here?

Parāśara indicates that creative and governing capacities manifest effectively in beings who possess adhikāra-bodha—clear awareness of their allotted role—so their contemplation and action align with cosmic order.

What is the theological importance of Vishnu in this context?

Even when describing Brahmā’s creative activity, the Vishnu Purana frames such powers as subordinate and functional—implying Vishnu as the Supreme Reality that underwrites and regulates all cosmic operations.