Shloka 51

अविद्याबीज-निरूपणं, योगस्वरूप-उपदेशः, मूर्तहरिधारणा-समाधि, जनकवंशीय-राजर्षिसंवादः

Devanagari script

हिरण्यगर्भादिषु च ब्रह्मकर्मात्मिका द्विधा अधिकारबोधयुक्तेषु विद्यते भावभावना

Transliteration

hiraṇyagarbhādiṣu ca brahmakarmātmikā dvidhā adhikārabodhayukteṣu vidyate bhāvabhāvanā

Translation

Também em Hiraṇyagarbha (Brahmā) e nos semelhantes surge uma contemplação de dupla natureza, na forma da atividade cósmica de Brahmā; nos que possuem o entendimento desperto do seu devido âmbito de autoridade, ela forma e sustenta disposições e estados do ser.

Word by Word

हिरण्यगर्भादिषुin (the beings) beginning with Hiraṇyagarbha

चand

ब्रह्मकर्मात्मिकाhaving the nature of Brahman and action

द्विधाin two ways

अधिकारबोधयुक्तेषुin those endowed with awareness of eligibility/authority

विद्यतेexists/is found

भावभावनाthe contemplation/realization of being

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Nature of Brahman/knowledge and how differentiated states arise through cosmic functions and contemplation

Teaching: Philosophical

Quality: authoritative

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: In beings such as Hiraṇyagarbha, a twofold contemplative potency aligned with cosmic office operates, shaping and sustaining dispositions and states for those who know their rightful sphere.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Discriminate between one’s role/adhikāra and the inner intention behind actions; cultivate reflective awareness that purifies mental dispositions rather than reinforcing egoic agency.

Vishishtadvaita: Cosmic functions (e.g., Brahmā’s activity) are real powers dependent on the Supreme, indicating an ordered universe sustained by the indwelling Lord.

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman

Bhakti Type: Shanta

Antaryamin: Yes

Jagat Karana: Yes

Characters & Entities

Hiranyagarbha (Brahma)

Brahma

FAQs

What is the significance of Hiraṇyagarbha in the Vishnu Purana?

Hiraṇyagarbha refers to Brahmā as the cosmic intellect/creator-function through whom ordered creation proceeds, operating as an instrument within the higher sovereignty of Vishnu.

How does Sage Parāśara explain adhikāra (proper authority or sphere) here?

Parāśara indicates that creative and governing capacities manifest effectively in beings who possess adhikāra-bodha—clear awareness of their allotted role—so their contemplation and action align with cosmic order.

What is the theological importance of Vishnu in this context?

Even when describing Brahmā’s creative activity, the Vishnu Purana frames such powers as subordinate and functional—implying Vishnu as the Supreme Reality that underwrites and regulates all cosmic operations.