Shloka 17
अध्याय ३५१ — उञ्छवृत्ति-व्रतसिद्धेः मानुषस्य परमगतिः
Sūrya–Nāga Dialogue on the Perfected Gleaner-Ascetic
प्राप्ते प्रजाविसग्े वै सप्तमे पद्मसम्भवे । नारायणो महायोगी शुभाशुभविवर्जित:
prāpte prajāvisarge vai saptame padmasambhave | nārāyaṇo mahāyogī śubhāśubhavivarjitaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Lorsque vint le temps de la création des êtres—lors de la septième manifestation du Né-du-Lotus (Brahmā)—Nārāyaṇa, le grand yogin, affranchi du faste et du néfaste (mérite et démérite), fit d’abord naître Brahmā du lotus de son nombril. Quand Brahmā se fut manifesté, le Seigneur s’adressa encore à lui.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents Nārāyaṇa as transcending moral dualities (śubha/āśubha) and as the primordial source of creation, implying that the supreme reality stands beyond merit and demerit while still initiating cosmic order.
At the onset of a creation cycle, Nārāyaṇa manifests Brahmā (the Lotus-born) from the navel-lotus; once Brahmā appears, Nārāyaṇa begins to instruct him, setting the stage for the subsequent account.