Shloka 20
Raivata and Cākṣuṣa Manvantaras; Brahmā’s Prayers at Śvetadvīpa
Prelude to Samudra-manthana
स विलोक्येन्द्रवाय्वादीन् नि:सत्त्वान्विगतप्रभान् । लोकानमङ्गलप्रायानसुरानयथा विभु: ॥ १९ ॥ समाहितेन मनसा संस्मरन्पुरुषं परम् । उवाचोत्फुल्लवदनो देवान्स भगवान्पर: ॥ २० ॥
sa vilokyendra-vāyv-ādīn niḥsattvān vigata-prabhān lokān amaṅgala-prāyān asurān ayathā vibhuḥ
With his mind fully composed, Brahmā remembered the Supreme Puruṣa. His face brightened, and he said to the devas, “Hear my words.”
After hearing from the demigods the real situation, Lord Brahmā was very much concerned because the demons were unnecessarily so powerful. When demons become powerful, the entire world is placed in an awkward position because demons are simply interested in their own sense gratification and not in the welfare of the world. Demigods or devotees, however, are concerned with the welfare of all living beings. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, for example, left his ministership and went to Vṛndāvana for the benefit of the entire world ( lokānāṁ hita-kāriṇau ). This is the nature of a saintly person or demigod. Even impersonalists think of the welfare of all people. Thus Brahmā was very much concerned at seeing the demons in power.
FAQs
This verse describes the devas as niḥsattva and vigata-prabhā—depleted of strength and radiance—when the asuras dominate and inauspiciousness spreads, indicating that cosmic imbalance and loss of divine support follow when dharma is eclipsed.
The verse portrays a period where the asuras are ascendant and the worlds are amaṅgala-prāya (filled with ill-omen), setting the narrative context for the devas to seek refuge in the Supreme Lord for restoration of order.
Like the devas’ condition shown here, the remedy implied is to recognize one’s limitation and take shelter of the Supreme—turning the mind toward prayer, remembrance, and dharmic action rather than panic or despair.