Shloka 2
वंशस्मरण-फलम्, वैशालिका-प्रसङ्गः, रेवती-बलदेव-विवाहः, विष्णु-परतत्त्व-स्तुतिः
वर्णधर्मास् तथाख्याता धर्मा ये चाश्रमेषु वै श्रोतुम् इच्छाम्य् अहं वंशांस् तांस् त्वं प्रब्रूहि मे गुरो
varṇadharmās tathākhyātā dharmā ye cāśrameṣu vai śrotum icchāmy ahaṃ vaṃśāṃs tāṃs tvaṃ prabrūhi me guro
您已经阐明了社会阶层的义务，以及属于人生各阶段的法。现在我想听听王朝的世系——尊敬的导师啊，请告诉我那些家谱。
Maitreya (addressing Sage Parāśara)
FAQs
This verse marks the shift from ethical order (varna–āśrama dharma) to historical-sacred order (royal genealogies), presenting kingship and lineage as carriers of dharma across ages.
Maitreya’s request shows the Purana’s method: first establish dharma as the governing principle, then narrate dynasties to illustrate how that dharma is preserved, challenged, and restored through generations.
Even when the topic turns to human lineages, the Vishnu Purana treats history as unfolding under Vishnu’s sovereignty, with dharma and legitimate rule ultimately grounded in the Supreme Reality.