Shloka 40
अध्याय ३५१ — उञ्छवृत्ति-व्रतसिद्धेः मानुषस्य परमगतिः
Sūrya–Nāga Dialogue on the Perfected Gleaner-Ascetic
भूतभव्यभविष्यज्ञ: सत्यवादी दृढव्रत: । तमुवाच नत मूर्ध्ना देवानामादिरव्यय:,“वे अपान्तरतमा भूत, वर्तमान और भविष्यके ज्ञाता, सत्यवादी तथा दृढ़तापूर्वक व्रतका पालन करनेवाले थे। मस्तक झुकाकर खड़े हुए उस पुत्रसे देवताओंके आदिकारण अविनाशी श्रीहरिने कहा--
bhūtabhavyabhaviṣyajñaḥ satyavādī dṛḍhavrataḥ | tam uvāca nata-mūrdhnā devānām ādir avyayaḥ ||
Disse Vaiśampāyana: Apāntaratamā conhecia o passado, o futuro que se tornou presente e o que ainda está por vir; dizia a verdade e era firme em seus votos. Então o imperecível Senhor Hari, fonte primordial dos deuses, dirigiu-se àquele filho que estava de pé com a cabeça inclinada em reverência.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates ethical integrity—truthfulness (satya) and steadfast commitment to vows (vrata)—as marks of spiritual authority, and frames genuine knowledge as spanning time (past, unfolding present, and future), culminating in reverent receptivity to divine instruction.
Vaiśampāyana describes a venerable figure (identified in context as Apāntaratamas) as omniscient across time and unwavering in truth and vows. Standing with bowed head, he is then addressed by the imperishable Lord Hari, presented as the primal source of the gods.