Shloka 17
Cosmic Appointments, Viṣṇu’s Vibhūtis, Fourfold Operation, and the Symbolism of Ornaments and Weapons
पशूनां ये च पतयः पतयो ये च पक्षिणाम् मनुष्याणां च सर्पाणां नागानां चाधिपास् तु ये
paśūnāṃ ye ca patayaḥ patayo ye ca pakṣiṇām manuṣyāṇāṃ ca sarpāṇāṃ nāgānāṃ cādhipās tu ye
જે પશુઓના સ્વામી છે, જે પક્ષીઓના પણ અધિપતિ છે, અને જે મનુષ્યો પર શાસન કરે છે; તેમજ જે સર્પો અને નાગોના પણ અધીશ્વર છે—
Sage Parāśara (speaking to Maitreya)
FAQs
The verse frames all such rulers as part of a cosmic administration, implying that every domain of life has order, and that this order ultimately rests on the Supreme Lord’s sovereignty.
By listing multiple classes of beings and their respective leaders, Parāśara shows that authority exists at every level of creation, yet it is not independent—it is a delegated function within the Lord’s all-encompassing rule.
Vishnu is implied as the Supreme Reality whose sustaining power underlies every form of governance; even the greatest ‘lords’ among species operate through His overarching presence and will.