Shloka 123
Nāgendra–Brāhmaṇa Saṃvāda: Praśna-vidhi and Dharmic Approach on the Gomatī Riverbank
भूतान्तरात्मा वरद: सगुणो निर्गुणोडपि च | विराट्स्वरूप भगवान् नारायण इस जगत्के ईश्वर और स्रष्टा हैं, वे ही सब जीवोंके अन्तरात्मा, वरदाता, सगुण और निर्मुणरूप हैं
bhūtāntarātmā varadaḥ saguṇo nirguṇo 'pi ca | virāṭsvarūpo bhagavān nārāyaṇaḥ jagata īśvaraḥ sraṣṭā ca, sa eva sarvabhūtānām antarātmā varadaḥ saguṇa-nirguṇarūpaś ca ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “Ang Mapalad na Panginoong Nārāyaṇa—na ang anyo ay ang kosmikong Virāṭ—ang siyang naghahari at lumilikha sa daigdig. Siya lamang ang nananahan bilang Panloob na Sarili sa lahat ng nilalang; siya ang tagapagkaloob ng biyaya, at dapat maunawaan kapwa bilang may mga katangian (saguṇa) at bilang lampas sa lahat ng katangian (nirguṇa). Itinatatag ng aral na ito ang sukdulang kapangyarihan at kaayusang moral sa iisang banal na realidad na lumalaganap sa buong buhay.”
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the Supreme Lord Nārāyaṇa is both immanent and transcendent: he dwells as the inner Self in all beings (ethical implication: reverence and non-harm toward life), yet also stands beyond qualities as nirguṇa while being approachable as saguṇa. This frames dharma as grounded in a single divine reality that creates, governs, and indwells the world.
In Śānti Parva’s reflective instruction, the narrator Vaiśaṃpāyana describes Nārāyaṇa’s supreme status—creator, ruler, cosmic form, and indwelling Self—functioning as a doctrinal affirmation (stuti/teaching) meant to orient the listener toward peace, right understanding, and devotion after the turmoil of war.