Shloka 26
Kālin̄dī’s Austerity; True Tapas and Prāyaścitta; Kṛṣṇa’s Grace and Marriage
न लक्ष्मीवद्गुणपूर्णो विरिञ्चो न विष्णुवद्गुणपूर्णा रमापि / न वायुवद्भारती चापि पूर्णा न शेषवद्वारुणी चापि पूर्णा
na lakṣmīvadguṇapūrṇo viriñco na viṣṇuvadguṇapūrṇā ramāpi / na vāyuvadbhāratī cāpi pūrṇā na śeṣavadvāruṇī cāpi pūrṇā
न विरिञ्चो लक्ष्मीवद्गुणपूर्णः, न रमापि विष्णुवद्गुणपूर्णा। न भारती वायुवत् पूर्णा, न वारुणी शेषवत् पूर्णा।
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: No deity (including Brahmā and Lakṣmī) matches Viṣṇu’s fullness; other divine pairs also show graded completeness. This teaches discernment of ultimate vs dependent divinities.
Vedantic Theme: Ontological gradation and dependence (paratantratā) of all beings on the Supreme; supremacy of Nārāyaṇa with all kalyāṇa-guṇas.
Application: Maintain respectful plural devotion while keeping ultimate refuge in Viṣṇu; avoid absolutizing secondary powers in theology or practice.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: comparative deity statements supporting Viṣṇu’s supremacy (general thematic parallel)
FAQs
This verse uses well-known deities to illustrate graded excellence in virtues, guiding devotees to recognize Viṣṇu as the fullest embodiment of auspicious qualities and to cultivate dharmic virtues accordingly.
By presenting comparative spiritual ‘fullness’ among divine figures, the text emphasizes discernment (viveka) and devotion aligned to the highest ideal of dharma, which supports right conduct and right worship taught throughout the Purana.
Use the verse as a reminder to measure yourself by virtues (truthfulness, compassion, self-control) rather than status, and to keep a clear highest ideal—cultivating steady devotion and ethical discipline in daily life.