Shloka 49

अविद्याबीज-निरूपणं, योगस्वरूप-उपदेशः, मूर्तहरिधारणा-समाधि, जनकवंशीय-राजर्षिसंवादः

Devanagari script

कर्मभावात्मिका ह्य् एका ब्रह्मभावात्मिकापरा उभयात्मिका तथैवान्या त्रिविधा भावभावना

Transliteration

karmabhāvātmikā hy ekā brahmabhāvātmikāparā ubhayātmikā tathaivānyā trividhā bhāvabhāvanā

Translation

આ ભાવભાવના ત્રિવિધ છે—એક કર્મભાવાત્મિકા, બીજી બ્રહ્મભાવાત્મિકા, અને ત્રીજી ઉભયાત્મિકા, જે બંનેને સાથે ધારણ કરે છે.

Word by Word

कर्मभावात्मिकाof the nature of action-contemplation

हिindeed

एकाone (type)

ब्रह्मभावात्मिकाof the nature of Brahman-contemplation

अपराanother (second)

उभयात्मिकाhaving both natures

तथाthus

एवindeed

अन्याanother (third)

त्रिविधाthreefold

भावभावनाcontemplation of being (contemplative cultivation)

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)

FAQs

What is the significance of bhāvanā (contemplative cultivation) in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse defines bhāvanā as a threefold inner orientation—toward action, toward Brahman, or toward both—showing that spiritual realization is shaped by the practitioner’s cultivated disposition.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the relationship between karma and Brahman-oriented contemplation?

He presents them as distinct modes of bhāvanā while also allowing a third, integrated mode (ubhaya), implying that disciplined action and Brahman-awareness can be harmonized within one sādhanā.

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

Even when the verse speaks in terms of Brahman and contemplation, the Vishnu Purana’s frame is that the Supreme Reality to be realized is Vishnu—so these modes of bhāvanā ultimately function as approaches toward Him as Para Brahman.