Shloka 1
Yuga-Dharma, Kalpa Measure, Purāṇa Definitions, and the Kali-Yuga Power of Nāma-Kīrtana
नाम द्वाविंशत्यधिकद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः ब्रह्मोवाच मुनिभिश्चरिता धर्मा भक्त्या व्यास मयोदिताः / यैर्विष्णुस्तुष्यते चैव सूर्यादिपरिचारणात्
nāma dvāviṃśatyadhikadviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ brahmovāca munibhiścaritā dharmā bhaktyā vyāsa mayoditāḥ / yairviṣṇustuṣyate caiva sūryādiparicāraṇāt
Chương hai trăm hai mươi ba. Phạm Thiên nói: “Hỡi Vyāsa, với lòng sùng kính, ta đã giảng dạy những pháp hạnh mà các bậc hiền thánh (muni) đã thực hành—nhờ đó, Đức Viṣṇu hoan hỷ, qua sự phụng sự cung kính đối với Sūrya và các vị thần khác.”
Brahma
Concept: Sage-practiced dharmas, performed with devotion, please Viṣṇu; honoring Sūrya and other deities functions as reverent service within a Viṣṇu-pleasing framework.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-prītyartha karma (actions offered to the Lord); harmonizing devatā-upāsanā with Viṣṇu as supreme goal (eka-niṣṭhā).
Application: Perform daily duties and devatā reverence as offerings to Viṣṇu; cultivate bhakti-intent rather than mere ritualism; integrate respectful plural worship with a clear spiritual center.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: celestial court/sabha
Related Themes: Garuda Purana sections on Viṣṇu-bhakti as purifier and protector; Garuda Purana chapters on devatā-paricaryā (Sūrya, etc.) as supportive observances
FAQs
This verse frames deva-paricaryā (reverent service to Sūrya and other deities) as a dharmic practice endorsed by sages, and as a means by which Viṣṇu becomes pleased.
Brahmā states that the dharmas he teaches are spoken “with bhakti” and are the very practices of munis, showing that righteous conduct and devotional intent are presented as mutually reinforcing.
Adopt consistent, respectful daily worship—such as offering water or prayers to Sūrya and maintaining ethical discipline—while holding the intention of pleasing Viṣṇu through sincere devotion.