Shloka 45
Kāraṇānvēṣaṇam: The 32 Marks of Hari, Defects (Doṣas), Death-Omens, and Hari’s Omnipresence in Social & Household Life
द्वात्रिंशल्लक्षणं विष्णोर्ब्रह्माद्यापेक्षयैव तत् / सहाभिप्राय गर्भेण ब्रह्मणोक्तं तव प्रभो
dvātriṃśallakṣaṇaṃ viṣṇorbrahmādyāpekṣayaiva tat / sahābhiprāya garbheṇa brahmaṇoktaṃ tava prabho
द्वात्रिंशल्लक्षणं विष्णोर्ब्रह्माद्यापेक्षयैव ज्ञायते; सहाभिप्रायगर्भेण ब्रह्मणा तव प्रभो तत् प्रोक्तम्।
Narrator (Purana dialogue frame; verse refers to Brahma's statement addressed to the Lord)
Concept: Lakṣaṇa-knowledge is relational and interpretive; Viṣṇu’s 32 marks are grasped through comparative reference to other deities and through implied intention (abhiprāya).
Vedantic Theme: Tattva-viveka and upalakṣaṇa: the Absolute indicated through attributes and comparative pedagogy; harmonizing devatā descriptions without compromising Viṣṇu’s supremacy.
Application: Read scriptural descriptions with attention to context, implied meaning, and comparative language; avoid literalistic conflict by seeking the intended purport (tātparya).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (likely Preta/Ācāra sections): passages on Viṣṇu-nāma, Viṣṇu-dhyāna, and lakṣaṇa-stuti where attributes are taught with tātparya; Adjacent verses 3.22.46–47 on resolving apparent contradiction via linguistic combination
FAQs
This verse frames the 32 marks as a theological standard for recognizing Viṣṇu’s supreme attributes, understood by comparison with Brahmā and other gods, and taught with an intended inner purport.
It indicates Brahmā as a declarer of doctrine: he states Viṣṇu’s characteristics in a way that carries an embedded intention (abhiprāya), implying layered meaning rather than mere description.
Approach sacred descriptions of the divine as teachings with inner intent—study them contextually, compare meanings across scriptures, and focus on the ethical and devotional transformation they are meant to inspire.