Shloka 42
Sṛṣṭi-krama, Pratibimba-Upādhi, and Viṣṇu as Primary Brahman
with Pralaya and Nāma-Stuti
न वै क्षितीशा न च मानुषाश्च विष्णोर्न जानन्ति किमत्र चान्ये / मत्तोधमः कोचिगुणेन ब्रह्मा समो हि तस्य ब्रह्मणो मातरिश्व
na vai kṣitīśā na ca mānuṣāśca viṣṇorna jānanti kimatra cānye / mattodhamaḥ kociguṇena brahmā samo hi tasya brahmaṇo mātariśva
ഭൂമിയിലെ രാജാക്കന്മാരും അല്ല, സാധാരണ മനുഷ്യരും അല്ല—വിഷ്ണുവിനെ യഥാർത്ഥമായി അറിയുന്നില്ല; പിന്നെ മറ്റുള്ളവരെന്തു പറയണം? ചില ഗുണങ്ങളാൽ ഉന്നതനായിട്ടും ബ്രഹ്മാവും മോഹമത്തനായ ഒരാളെപ്പോലെ; മാതരിശ്വൻ (വായു) തന്റെ മേഖലയിലോ ആ ബ്രഹ്മനോട് സമനാണ്.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra, contextual attribution)
Concept: True knowledge of Viṣṇu is not attained by worldly power or even by exalted cosmic office; even Brahmā can be deluded—therefore epistemic humility and reliance on revealed means (śruti/bhakti) are required.
Vedantic Theme: Avidyā can persist with greatness; Brahman/Īśvara transcends limited knowers; necessity of pramāṇa (śāstra) and surrender for knowing the Supreme.
Application: Practice humility in learning; verify spiritual claims against śāstra and lived transformation; prioritize devotion and discernment over status or intellectual pride.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: recurring emphasis that mere power/status does not yield liberation; knowledge must be joined with devotion; Garuda Purana: critiques of pride and delusion as obstacles to mokṣa
FAQs
This verse emphasizes that even powerful rulers and ordinary people fail to grasp Viṣṇu’s true nature, pointing to the need for humility, devotion, and right knowledge rather than mere status or power.
By stating that kings and humans do not know Viṣṇu, and by portraying even Brahmā as limited “by qualities,” the verse highlights that cosmic rank does not automatically grant complete knowledge of the Supreme.
Cultivate humility and disciplined spiritual practice—avoid pride in position or learning, and prioritize sincere devotion and ethical living as the basis for higher understanding.