Shloka 5
Brahmā’s Secondary Creation, Kāla (Eternal Time), and the Taxonomy of Species
तद्विलोक्याब्जसम्भूतो वायुना यदधिष्ठित: । पद्ममम्भश्च तत्कालकृतवीर्येण कम्पितम् ॥ ५ ॥
tad vilokyābja-sambhūto vāyunā yad-adhiṣṭhitaḥ padmam ambhaś ca tat-kāla- kṛta-vīryeṇa kampitam
তারপর অঞ্জসম্ভূত (ব্রহ্মা) দেখলেন—যে পদ্মে তিনি অধিষ্ঠিত ছিলেন এবং যে জলে সেই পদ্ম জন্মেছিল, উভয়ই তৎক্ষণাৎ প্রবল ঝঞ্ঝাবায়ুর বেগে কাঁপছে।
The material world is called illusory because it is a place of forgetfulness of the transcendental service of the Lord. Thus one engaged in the Lord’s devotional service in the material world may sometimes be very much disturbed by awkward circumstances. There is a declaration of war between the two parties, the illusory energy and the devotee, and sometimes the weak devotees fall victim to the onslaught of the powerful illusory energy. Lord Brahmā, however, was sufficiently strong, by the causeless mercy of the Lord, and he could not be victimized by the material energy, although it gave him cause for anxiety when it managed to totter the existence of his position.
FAQs
This verse depicts Brahmā as lotus-born, observing the lotus and the surrounding waters trembling due to a powerful wind—showing the unstable conditions at the dawn of creation.
Because Brahmā appears on a lotus that manifests from the Supreme Lord’s navel during the creation process; the epithet highlights his origin and role as secondary creator.
Even in uncertain, shifting conditions, one should observe carefully and seek higher guidance—steadiness and clarity arise by aligning one’s actions with dharma and devotion rather than external turbulence.