Shloka 98
Atithi-prāpti and the Brāhmaṇa’s Deliberation on Triadic Dharma (अतिथिप्राप्तिः धर्मत्रयविचारश्च)
तेनानुशिष्टो ब्रह्मापि स्वलोकमचिराद् गत: । एवमेष महाभाग: पद्मनाभ: सनातन:
tenānuśiṣṭo brahmāpi svalokam acirād gataḥ | evam eṣa mahābhāgaḥ padmanābhaḥ sanātanaḥ ||
毗耶娑说：如是受教之后，梵天亦不久便回归其自界。由此可知，具大福德、常住不变的主宰莲华脐（Padmanābha），被称为诸祭祀中最先受享者，亦是恒常护持并推动祭祀法度者。有时，他扶持不坏大士所依之出离之法（nivṛtti-dharma）；有时，又观众生心行差别，为世间制定入世行持之法（pravṛtti-dharma）。
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents the Lord (Padmanābha/Viṣṇu) as the regulator of dharma in two complementary modes: nivṛtti (renunciatory withdrawal aimed at liberation) and pravṛtti (engaged duty sustaining society and ritual order). Both are framed as divinely sanctioned, applied according to the capacities and mental tendencies of beings.
After receiving instruction, Brahmā departs to his own realm. Vyāsa then characterizes Padmanābha as eternal and supremely authoritative over sacrifice and dharma—supporting sacrificial order while also guiding beings either toward renunciation or toward worldly duty as appropriate.