Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 4
Brahmā’s Secondary Creation, Kāla (Eternal Time), and the Taxonomy of Species
मैत्रेय उवाच विरिञ्चोऽपि तथा चक्रे दिव्यं वर्षशतं तप: । आत्मन्यात्मानमावेश्य यथाह भगवानज: ॥ ४ ॥
maitreya uvāca viriñco ’pi tathā cakre divyaṁ varṣa-śataṁ tapaḥ ātmany ātmānam āveśya yathāha bhagavān ajaḥ
The greatly learned sage Maitreya said: O Vidura, Brahmā thus engaged himself in penances for one hundred celestial years, as advised by the Personality of Godhead, and applied himself in devotional service to the Lord.
That Brahmā engaged himself for the Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, means that he engaged himself in the service of the Lord; that is the highest penance one can perform for any number of years. There is no retirement from such service, which is eternal and ever encouraging.
FAQs
It states that Brahmā (Viriñci) performed austerities for one hundred celestial years, fixing his consciousness within the Self, following the unborn Lord’s instruction.
Because Brahmā’s ability to proceed in creation depends on receiving divine guidance; his tapasya is portrayed as obedient alignment with the Lord’s command, not independent endeavor.
Practice disciplined spiritual focus—regular meditation and regulated habits—so that actions are guided by higher principles (dharma and devotion) rather than distraction.