Shloka 41

Śakaṭa-bhañjana, Naming by Garga, Dāmodara and Yamala-arjuna, and the Move to Vṛndāvana

Devanagari script

मेघपृष्ठे बलाकानां रराज विमला ततिः दुर्वृत्ते वृत्तचेष्टेव कुलीनस्यातिशोभना

Transliteration

meghapṛṣṭhe balākānāṃ rarāja vimalā tatiḥ durvṛtte vṛttaceṣṭeva kulīnasyātiśobhanā

Translation

Sobre o dorso escuro das nuvens brilhou uma fileira imaculada de grous; assim a conduta nobre, radiante e inconfundível, adorna até quem tem maus costumes, como se a virtude fosse um ornamento.

Word by Word

मेघपृष्ठेon the back of the cloud

बलाकानाम्of the cranes

रराजshone

विमलाpure, spotless

ततिःa row, line

दुर्वृत्तेin/with a wicked (person)

वृत्तचेष्टाproper conduct

इवlike, as if

कुलीनस्यof a noble (man)

अतिशोभनाvery beautiful

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya in the standard Vishnu Purana dialogue frame)

Characters & Entities

Cranes (balākāḥ)

Clouds (meghāḥ)

FAQs

What is the significance of the cranes on the cloud-backdrop in the Vishnu Purana?

The verse uses the bright line of cranes against dark clouds as a metaphor for dharma: purity and right conduct become most visible when contrasted with disorder or darkness.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the power of virtuous conduct here?

By comparing virtue to an ornament, he implies that righteous behavior confers true radiance and dignity—something that can stand out even when surrounded by or associated with flawed conduct.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Though Vishnu is not named in the verse, the imagery supports the Purana’s central idea: dharma and cosmic harmony ultimately rest upon the Supreme Reality (Vishnu), whose order makes purity meaningful and recognizable.