Shloka 20
Adhyāya 262: Śabda-brahman, Para-brahman, and the Ethics of Tyāga
Kapila–Syūmaraśmi Saṃvāda
अखिल दैवतं सर्व ब्रह्म ब्रह्मणि संश्रितम्
akhila-daivataṁ sarvaṁ brahma brahmaṇi saṁśritam
चूलाधार घोषित करते हैं कि समस्त देवता, अपने पूर्ण रूप में, ब्रह्म ही हैं; और यह समूची दैवी बहुलता अंततः ब्रह्म में ही आश्रित है—वे श्रोता को संप्रदायगत भेद से हटाकर एकत्व-आधारित, नैतिक दृष्टि की ओर ले जाते हैं।
चुलाधार उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches theological and ethical integration: the many gods are expressions of one Brahman, and their reality is grounded in Brahman. This supports a non-sectarian outlook and encourages dharmic conduct based on seeing a single underlying reality rather than competing divine factions.
In Śānti Parva’s didactic setting, Chūlādhāra is instructing his interlocutor by articulating a metaphysical principle: the entire pantheon is encompassed by Brahman and depends upon Brahman, reframing devotion and duty within a unified vision of the Absolute.