Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 30
Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Austerities and Brahmā’s Boons
The Architecture of ‘Conditional Immortality’
त्वं सप्ततन्तून् वितनोषि तन्वा त्रय्या चतुर्होत्रकविद्यया च । त्वमेक आत्मात्मवतामनादि- रनन्तपार: कविरन्तरात्मा ॥ ३० ॥
tvaṁ sapta-tantūn vitanoṣi tanvā trayyā catur-hotraka-vidyayā ca tvam eka ātmātmavatām anādir ananta-pāraḥ kavir antarātmā
يا ربّ! إنك بصفتك تجسيدَ الفيدا، وبمعرفة الترايي وبعلم «تشاتور-هوترا»، تبسط طقوس الياجنا ذات السبع سلاسل وعلى رأسها أغنيشْتُوما. وأنت تُلهِم البراهمة القائمين بالقرابين ليؤدّوا الأعمال المبيّنة في الفيدات الثلاث. وأنت البرماتما، الساكن في القلوب (أنتريامي) لكل الكائنات، بلا بداية ولا نهاية، عليمٌ بكل شيء، متعالٍ عن حدود الزمان والمكان.
The Vedic ritualistic ceremonies, the knowledge thereof, and the person who agrees to perform them are inspired by the Supreme Soul. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā, mattaḥ smṛtir jñānam apohanaṁ ca: from the Lord come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. The Supersoul is situated in everyone’s heart ( sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭaḥ, īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe ’rjuna tiṣṭhati ), and when one is advanced in Vedic knowledge, the Supersoul gives him directions. Acting as Supersoul, the Lord gives inspiration to a suitable person to perform the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies. In this connection, four classes of priests, known as ṛtvik, are required. They are mentioned as hotā, adhvaryu, brahma and udgātā.
FAQs
It says the Lord Himself expands the Vedic order—through the threefold Veda and the four priestly functions—yet He remains the one, beginningless Supreme Reality.
In his prayer, Prahlāda emphasizes that the same Lord who establishes external Vedic rites also dwells within all beings as the indwelling Supersoul, beyond all limits.
It encourages seeing God both in sacred tradition (scripture and discipline) and inwardly as conscience and inner guide—uniting outer practice with inner devotion.