Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 29
Brahmā’s Tapasya, the Vision of Vaikuṇṭha, and the Lord’s Seed Instructions
Catuḥ-śloki
भगवच्छिक्षितमहं करवाणि ह्यतन्द्रित: । नेहमान: प्रजासर्गं बध्येयं यदनुग्रहात् ॥ २९ ॥
bhagavac-chikṣitam ahaṁ karavāṇi hy atandritaḥ nehamānaḥ prajā-sargaṁ badhyeyaṁ yad-anugrahāt
Bitte unterweise mich, damit ich, durch die Lehre des Bhagavān geschult, ohne Nachlässigkeit handle; und dass ich durch Deine Gnade, selbst beim Hervorbringen der Lebewesen, nicht durch diese Taten gebunden werde.
Brahmājī does not want to become a speculator dependent on the strength of his personal knowledge and conditioned to material bondage. Everyone should know in clear consciousness that one is, in the execution of all activities, an instrument. A conditioned soul is instrumental in the hands of the external energy, guṇamayī māyā, or the illusory energy of the Lord, and in the liberated stage the living entity is instrumental to the will of the Personality of Godhead directly. To be instrumental to the direct will of the Lord is the natural constitutional position of the living entity, whereas to be an instrument in the hands of the illusory energy of the Lord is material bondage for the living entity. In that conditioned state, the living entity speculates on the Absolute Truth and His different activities. But in the unconditioned stage the living entity directly receives knowledge from the Lord, and such a liberated soul acts flawlessly, without any speculative habit. The Bhagavad-gītā (10.10-11) confirms emphatically that the pure devotees, who are constantly engaged in the loving transcendental service of the Lord, are directly advised by the Lord, so much so that the devotee unwaveringly makes progress on the path home, back to Godhead. Pure devotees of the Lord are therefore not proud of their definite progress, whereas the nondevotee speculator is in the darkness of illusory energy and is very much proud of his misleading knowledge based on speculation without any definite path. Lord Brahmā wanted to be saved from that pitfall of pride, although he was posted in the most exalted position within the universe.
FAQs
This verse shows that one can perform major responsibilities (like creation) without becoming bound when the work is done as the Lord’s instruction, with vigilance, humility, and dependence on His mercy rather than ego.
Brahma knows that creating beings can inflate false pride and entangle one in karma; therefore he prays to remain ego-free and credits success to Bhagavan’s anugraha, not personal greatness.
Do your responsibilities diligently, but consciously drop self-importance—treat your work as service, and remember that results and ability ultimately come by grace, which keeps the mind free from pride and anxiety.