Shloka 16
Genealogies of Svāyambhuva Manu, the Appearance of Yajña, and Atri’s Sons
Brahmā–Viṣṇu–Śiva Expansions
विदुर उवाच अत्रेर्गृहे सुरश्रेष्ठा: स्थित्युत्पत्त्यन्तहेतव: । किञ्चिच्चिकीर्षवो जाता एतदाख्याहि मे गुरो ॥ १६ ॥
vidura uvāca atrer gṛhe sura-śreṣṭhāḥ sthity-utpatty-anta-hetavaḥ kiñcic cikīrṣavo jātā etad ākhyāhi me guro
Vidura perguntou: Ó mestre, como pode ser que as três divindades—Brahmā, Viṣṇu e Śiva—causas da criação, manutenção e dissolução do universo, tenham nascido como filhos da esposa do sábio Atri? Por favor, explica-me isto.
The inquisitiveness of Vidura was quite fitting, for he understood that when the Supersoul, Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva all appeared through the person of Anasūyā, the wife of Atri Muni, there must have been some great purpose. Otherwise why should they have appeared in such a way?
FAQs
This verse introduces Vidura’s inquiry: the foremost divine controllers connected with creation, maintenance, and dissolution appeared at Atri’s hermitage for a specific divine purpose, which Vidura asks his teacher to explain.
Vidura approaches the sage-teacher (Maitreya in this narration) to understand the deeper reason behind the Lord’s and devas’ appearances—seeking the devotional and philosophical meaning behind the event, not merely the history.
Cultivate sincere inquiry (jijñāsā) from authentic teachers—asking not only “what happened,” but “why it happened,” so spiritual study becomes purposeful and devotionally grounded.