Shloka 52
अविद्याबीज-निरूपणं, योगस्वरूप-उपदेशः, मूर्तहरिधारणा-समाधि, जनकवंशीय-राजर्षिसंवादः
अक्षीणेषु समस्तेषु विशेषज्ञानकर्मसु विश्वम् एतत् परं चान्यद् भेदभिन्नदृशां नृप
akṣīṇeṣu samasteṣu viśeṣajñānakarmasu viśvam etat paraṃ cānyad bhedabhinnadṛśāṃ nṛpa
O King, so long as all particularized knowledges and their corresponding actions remain unexhausted, this entire universe—and even what is called “the beyond”—appears divided and distinct to those whose vision is split by difference.
Sage Parāśara (addressing a kingly interlocutor within the discourse; overall narration to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Why the world appears divided as long as particularized knowledge and action persist
Teaching: Philosophical
Quality: clarifying
Concept: So long as differentiated cognitions and their karmic correlates remain unexhausted, beings perceive both ‘this world’ and ‘beyond’ as split by difference.
Vedantic Theme: Maya
Application: Notice how habitual labels and action-patterns reinforce ‘I/other’; reduce compulsive doing and cultivate equanimity to weaken the momentum of differentiated perception.
Vishishtadvaita: Difference is experienced through karma- and jñāna-conditioning; its dissolution requires purification, while ultimate unity is realized without denying the Lord’s sovereign ground.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
This verse states that as long as particularized jñāna and karma remain active, beings continue to perceive the universe—and even transcendence—as divided into separate categories.
He links it to what is “unexhausted” (akṣīṇa): remaining karmic and cognitive patterns keep vision fragmented, producing the sense of many distinct realities.
Implicitly, Vishnu is the Supreme Reality that is not truly divided; the perception of separation arises in the viewer due to residual karma/jñāna, not because the ultimate is fractured.