Shloka 51
Vishnu-sahasranāma-style Japa: Vishnu as Cosmic Cause and Inner Self
Antaryāmin
आकाशकारणं तद्वत्पृथिव्याः कारणं परम् / अण्डस्य कारणं चैव प्रकृतेः कारणं तथा
ākāśakāraṇaṃ tadvatpṛthivyāḥ kāraṇaṃ param / aṇḍasya kāraṇaṃ caiva prakṛteḥ kāraṇaṃ tathā
അതുപോലെ ആകാശത്തിനും കാരണമുണ്ട്; ഭൂമിയുടെ പരമകാരണമും അതുതന്നെ. അണ്ഡം (ബ്രഹ്മാണ്ഡം)ക്കും കാരണമത്; പ്രകൃതിക്കും (അതിലുമേൽ) കാരണമുണ്ട്.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Even prakṛti and the brahmāṇḍa have causes; the supreme cause transcends the manifest cosmos.
Vedantic Theme: Transcendence of prakṛti; the Absolute as the ultimate ground beyond the cosmic egg and elements.
Application: Shift identity from ‘within the egg’ (world-bound self) to the witnessing principle; cultivate detachment by seeing the world as an effect, not the final reality.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: cosmic structure
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: brahmāṇḍa descriptions and prakṛti-puruṣa discussions in cosmology sections
FAQs
This verse presents Prakṛti as a fundamental causal principle behind the brahmāṇḍa (cosmic egg) and the elements, framing creation as a chain of causes culminating in a higher, supreme cause.
Indirectly, it grounds later teachings on the soul by distinguishing material causation (Prakṛti and elements) from the higher principle beyond them—supporting the idea that liberation involves transcending material nature.
Reflect on cause-and-effect in life: reduce identification with changing material conditions (prakṛti) and cultivate orientation toward the higher, steady principle through dharma, self-discipline, and contemplation.