Shloka 98
Atithi-prāpti and the Brāhmaṇa’s Deliberation on Triadic Dharma (अतिथिप्राप्तिः धर्मत्रयविचारश्च)
तेनानुशिष्टो ब्रह्मापि स्वलोकमचिराद् गत: । एवमेष महाभाग: पद्मनाभ: सनातन:
tenānuśiṣṭo brahmāpi svalokam acirād gataḥ | evam eṣa mahābhāgaḥ padmanābhaḥ sanātanaḥ ||
ヴィヤーサは語った。「かく教えを受けたのち、ブラフマーもまた程なく自らの世界へと去って行った。このように、福徳に満ち永遠なる主パドマナーバは、祭祀における第一の受享者であり、常に祭祀の秩序を支え、これを興し進める者として説かれる。ある時は、不壊の功徳を具えた大いなる魂が依る退転の法（nivṛtti-dharma）を護持し、またある時は、衆生の心の傾向が多様であることを顧みて、世のために進取の法（pravṛtti-dharma）を定め給う。」
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents the Lord (Padmanābha/Viṣṇu) as the regulator of dharma in two complementary modes: nivṛtti (renunciatory withdrawal aimed at liberation) and pravṛtti (engaged duty sustaining society and ritual order). Both are framed as divinely sanctioned, applied according to the capacities and mental tendencies of beings.
After receiving instruction, Brahmā departs to his own realm. Vyāsa then characterizes Padmanābha as eternal and supremely authoritative over sacrifice and dharma—supporting sacrificial order while also guiding beings either toward renunciation or toward worldly duty as appropriate.