Shloka 3
Manvantara Enumerations Begin: Svāyambhuva’s Austerity, Yajñapati’s Protection, and the Avatāras up to Hari
Gajendra Prelude
यद्यस्मिन्नन्तरे ब्रह्मन्भगवान्विश्वभावन: । कृतवान्कुरुते कर्ता ह्यतीतेऽनागतेऽद्य वा ॥ ३ ॥
yad yasminn antare brahman bhagavān viśva-bhāvanaḥ kṛtavān kurute kartā hy atīte ’nāgate ’dya vā
O learned brāhmaṇa, please describe to us all the deeds performed by Bhagavān, the creator and sustainer of the universe—what He did in past manvantaras, what He does now, and what He will do in future manvantaras.
In Bhagavad-gītā the Supreme Personality of Godhead said that both He and the other living entities present on the battlefield had existed in the past, they existed at present, and they would continue to exist in the future. Past, present and future always exist, both for the Supreme Personality of Godhead and for ordinary living entities. Nityo nityānāṁ cetanaś cetanānām ( Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13). Both the Lord and the living entities are eternal and sentient, but the difference is that the Lord is unlimited whereas the living entities are limited. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the creator of everything, and although the living entities are not created but exist with the Lord eternally, their bodies are created, whereas the Supreme Lord’s body is never created. There is no difference between the Supreme Lord and His body, but the conditioned soul, although eternal, is different from his body.
FAQs
This verse states that the Supreme Lord, the sustainer of the universe, is the true doer behind whatever occurs—past, present, or future—indicating divine governance beyond time.
Parikshit is requesting Shukadeva to narrate the Lord’s activities within the relevant cosmic period, affirming that all noteworthy deeds ultimately belong to Bhagavan, the controller of history and creation.
Do your duty sincerely, but cultivate humility and surrender—recognizing outcomes as governed by the Supreme—reducing anxiety and strengthening devotion and gratitude.