Shloka 17
Nārada’s Questions and Brahmā’s Reply: Vāsudeva as the Source; Sarga–Visarga; Virāṭ-rūpa Mapping
तस्यापि द्रष्टुरीशस्य कूटस्थस्याखिलात्मन: । सृज्यं सृजामि सृष्टोऽहमीक्षयैवाभिचोदित: ॥ १७ ॥
tasyāpi draṣṭur īśasya kūṭa-sthasyākhilātmanaḥ sṛjyaṁ sṛjāmi sṛṣṭo ’ham īkṣayaivābhicoditaḥ
Allein durch Seinen Blick inspiriert — durch den allsehenden Herrn, den Unwandelbaren und die Seele aller — entfalte ich die von Ihm bereits geschaffene Schöpfung; und auch ich bin allein von Ihm erschaffen.
Even Brahmā, the creator of the universe, admits that he is not the actual creator but is simply inspired by the Lord Nārāyaṇa and therefore creates under His superintendence those things already created by Him, the Supersoul of all living entities. Two identities of soul, the Supersoul and the individual soul, are admitted to be in the living entity, even by the greatest authority of the universe. The Supersoul is the Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead, whereas the individual soul is the eternal servitor of the Lord. The Lord inspires the individual soul to create what is already created by the Lord, and by the good will of the Lord a discoverer of something in the world is accredited as the discoverer. It is said that Columbus discovered the Western Hemisphere, but actually the tract of land was not created by Columbus. The vast tract of land was already there by the omnipotency of the Supreme Lord, and Columbus, by dint of his past service unto the Lord, was blessed with the credit of discovering America. Similarly, no one can create anything without the sanction of the Lord, since everyone sees according to his ability. This ability is also awarded by the Lord according to one’s willingness to render service unto the Lord. One must therefore be voluntarily willing to render service unto the Lord, and thus the Lord will empower the doer in proportion to his surrender unto the lotus feet of the Lord. Lord Brahmā is a great devotee of the Lord; therefore he has been empowered or inspired by the Lord to create such a universe as the one manifested before us. The Lord also inspired Arjuna to fight in the field of Kurukṣetra as follows:
FAQs
This verse says Brahmā creates only after being impelled by the Supreme Lord’s glance—indicating creation ultimately proceeds by the Lord’s will and supervision, not independently.
Brahmā clarifies to Nārada that even the secondary creator (Brahmā) is created and directed by the Supreme Witness; thus the ultimate cause behind creation is the Lord alone.
It encourages humility and devotion: do your duties diligently, but recognize results and inspiration ultimately come from the Supreme, reducing ego and anxiety.