Shloka 55
Cosmic Appointments, Viṣṇu’s Vibhūtis, Fourfold Operation, and the Symbolism of Ornaments and Weapons
तत्राप्य् आसन्नदूरत्वाद् बहुत्वस्वल्पतामयः ज्योत्स्नाभेदो ऽस्ति तच्छक्तेस् तद्वन् मैत्रेय विद्यते
tatrāpy āsannadūratvād bahutvasvalpatāmayaḥ jyotsnābhedo 'sti tacchaktes tadvan maitreya vidyate
Aun allí, por la cercanía o la lejanía, la luz lunar parece ‘mayor’ o ‘menor’: la diferencia es sólo de manifestación. Así también, oh Maitreya, la śakti de esa Realidad es una en esencia, pero se percibe variada según la condición y el punto de vista.
Sage Parāśara (addressing Maitreya)
FAQs
It shows that perceived differences (more/less) can arise from conditions like distance, while the underlying source remains one—used here to explain how a single divine power can appear manifold.
He uses a natural example (moonlight) to argue that variation is often in manifestation and perception; similarly, the one śakti of the Supreme is experienced as diverse effects within the cosmos.
The verse supports a Vaishnava metaphysics where Vishnu’s supreme reality is unitary, while His śakti governs the universe through differentiated appearances—affirming sovereignty without fragmenting the Divine.