Shloka 56

Cosmic Appointments, Viṣṇu’s Vibhūtis, Fourfold Operation, and the Symbolism of Ornaments and Weapons

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवा ब्रह्मन् प्रधाना ब्रह्मशक्तयः ततश् च देवा मैत्रेय न्यूना दक्षादयस् ततः

Transliteration

brahmaviṣṇuśivā brahman pradhānā brahmaśaktayaḥ tataś ca devā maitreya nyūnā dakṣādayas tataḥ

Translation

Oh brāhmaṇa, las potencias principales de Brahman son Brahmā, Viṣṇu y Śiva. De ellos, oh Maitreya, surgen las huestes de los dioses; y después vienen los órdenes divinos menores, comenzando por Dakṣa y los demás, emanando en sucesión.

Word by Word

ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवाःBrahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva

ब्रह्मन्O Brahmin (sage)

प्रधानाprincipal, foremost

ब्रह्मशक्तयःpowers of Brahman

ततःfrom that, thereafter

चand

देवाःgods

मैत्रेयO Maitreya

न्यूनाःlesser, inferior

दक्षादयःDakṣa and others

ततःfrom that, thereafter

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (speaking to Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Emanational hierarchy of Brahman’s powers: Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Śiva, then devas and Prajāpatis like Dakṣa

Teaching: Cosmological

Quality: authoritative

Cosmological Context

Creation Stage: Secondary

Cosmic Hierarchy: Lokas

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The highest functional powers within the cosmos—Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva—are principal śaktis operating under the Supreme, from whom further divine orders proceed in sequence.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Honor diverse divine functions without losing sight of the Supreme source; cultivate integrated worship that sees cosmic roles as coordinated under the one Lord.

Vishishtadvaita: Many divine administrators are real and graded, yet dependent—Viṣṇu remains the ultimate jagat-kāraṇa and inner governor of all cosmic offices.

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Narayana

Jagat Karana: Yes

Characters & Entities

Brahma

Vishnu

Shiva

Maitreya

Daksha

Devas

FAQs

What is the significance of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva being called the primary powers of Brahman in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse presents them as principal cosmic functions (creation, preservation, dissolution) operating as foremost manifestations/powers within the ordered unfolding of Brahman, establishing a structured theology of governance in creation.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the emergence of the gods in this passage?

Parāśara describes a sequential emanation: from the primary divine powers arise the devas, and thereafter the subordinate divine orders such as Dakṣa and other progenitors, indicating a graded cosmological descent.

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

Within the Vishnu Purana’s framework, Viṣṇu is integral to the supreme ordering of reality—cosmic roles and divine beings proceed in a hierarchy that ultimately serves the sustaining sovereignty associated with Viṣṇu.