Shloka 6
Maṅgalācaraṇa, the Sages’ Inquiry, and Hari as Supreme with an Avatāra-Outline
ऋषय ऊचुः / सूत ! जानासि सर्वं त्वं पृच्छामस्त्वामतो वयम् / देवतानां हि को देव ईश्वरः पूज्य एव कः
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ / sūta ! jānāsi sarvaṃ tvaṃ pṛcchāmastvāmato vayam / devatānāṃ hi ko deva īśvaraḥ pūjya eva kaḥ
Para resi berkata: “Wahai Sūta, engkau mengetahui segala-galanya. Maka kami bertanya kepadamu: antara para dewa, siapakah Tuhan yang sebenar—siapakah Īśvara, Tuhan Yang Maha Tinggi, dan siapakah satu-satunya yang layak disembah?”
The sages (ṛṣis), addressing Sūta
Concept: Ekatva of Īśvara: among devas, the truly worship-worthy Supreme Lord is one.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-tattva and ekam eva advitīyam (one supreme reality as Lord) expressed theistically.
Application: Clarify one’s iṣṭa-devatā and direct worship/meditation toward the Supreme rather than scattered devatā-upāsanā.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: assembly (sabhā/āśrama setting implied)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.1.7-1.1.10 (continuation of the ṛṣis’ questions on dhyeya, sṛṣṭi, dharma, avatāra, varṇāśrama)
FAQs
This verse frames the text’s purpose: to establish who is truly īśvara and therefore the proper focus of worship, guiding devotion and dharma toward the highest principle.
Indirectly, it sets the theological foundation: understanding the Supreme Lord is the basis for right worship and right conduct, which later informs karma, post-death outcomes, and liberation themes in the Purana.
Use it as a filter for practice: prioritize worship and ethical living aligned with the Supreme (īśvara), rather than being scattered among many lesser aims.