Shloka 10
मैत्रेयप्रश्नः—पुराणसंहिताप्रतिज्ञा च
Maitreya’s Questions and Parāśara’s Resolve to Teach
धर्मांश् च ब्राह्मणादीनां तथा चाश्रमवासिनाम् श्रोतुम् इच्छाम्य् अहं सर्वं त्वत्तो वासिष्ठनन्दन
dharmāṃś ca brāhmaṇādīnāṃ tathā cāśramavāsinām śrotum icchāmy ahaṃ sarvaṃ tvatto vāsiṣṭhanandana
हे वासिष्ठनंदना, मला तुझ्याकडून संपूर्ण धर्म ऐकायचा आहे—ब्राह्मणादींची कर्तव्ये आणि आश्रमवासीयांचे नियमही।
Maitreya (addressing Sage Parāśara)
FAQs
This verse frames dharma as a complete system—social duties (varṇa) and life-stage disciplines (āśrama)—setting the ethical order that underlies later teachings on creation, kingship, and devotion.
Maitreya first requests a comprehensive account; Parāśara’s instruction proceeds as an authoritative transmission within a guru–disciple setting, where dharma is treated as a structured, knowable body of teaching.
Even when the verse speaks of dharma, the Vishnu Purana’s larger intent is that universal order is grounded in the Supreme Reality—Vishnu—who sustains the world through law, duty, and righteous conduct.