Sṛṣṭi-krama, Pratibimba-Upādhi, and Viṣṇu as Primary Brahman
with Pralaya and Nāma-Stuti
यदा हि शेते प्रलयार्णवे विभुर्जीवांश्च सर्वानुदरे निवेश्य / मुक्तांश्च ब्रह्मेन्द्रमरुद्गणादीन्प्रात्पव्यमुक्तींश्च सुतौ? च संस्थितान्
yadā hi śete pralayārṇave vibhurjīvāṃśca sarvānudare niveśya / muktāṃśca brahmendramarudgaṇādīnprātpavyamuktīṃśca sutau? ca saṃsthitān
ప్రళయసముద్రంలో సర్వశక్తిమంతుడైన ప్రభువు శయనించి, సమస్త జీవులను తన ఉదరంలో ప్రవేశపెట్టినప్పుడు, బ్రహ్మ, ఇంద్ర, మరుద్గణములు వంటి ముక్తులనూ, ఇంకా ముక్తి పొందవలసిన వారినీ, అందరినీ తనలోనే స్థితులుగా ఉంచుతాడు।
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda, Vinata-putra)
Concept: All jīvas, including devas and even those termed ‘liberated’, are ultimately contained in the Supreme during pralaya; the Lord is the final āśraya (support) beyond states.
Vedantic Theme: Brahman/Nārāyaṇa as upādāna-nimitta-kāraṇa; laya (dissolution) into the Supreme; supremacy of Īśvara as the ground of all states.
Application: Cultivate remembrance of Viṣṇu as the ultimate refuge; reduce fear of dissolution/death by contemplating the Lord as the container and protector of all beings.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: cosmic ocean
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Brahma-khaṇḍa) cosmology passages on pralaya and Nārāyaṇa’s yoganidrā; Garuda Purana sections praising Viṣṇu as sarvādhāra and sarva-śaraṇa
This verse presents pralaya as a re-absorption of all beings into Vishnu, emphasizing that the cosmos and all jīvas rest in the Supreme during dissolution.
It distinguishes between muktas (already liberated) and prāptavya-muktis (those yet to attain liberation), yet states that both ultimately abide in Vishnu during pralaya—highlighting the Supreme as the final ground of all states.
Cultivate detachment and devotion: even the highest statuses (like Indra) are transient, while steady remembrance of the Supreme supports a moksha-oriented life.