Genealogies of Svāyambhuva Manu, the Appearance of Yajña, and Atri’s Sons
Brahmā–Viṣṇu–Śiva Expansions
एको मयेह भगवान्विविधप्रधानै- श्चित्तीकृत: प्रजननाय कथं नु यूयम् । अत्रागतास्तनुभृतां मनसोऽपि दूराद् ब्रूत प्रसीदत महानिह विस्मयो मे ॥ २८ ॥
eko mayeha bhagavān vividha-pradhānaiś cittī-kṛtaḥ prajananāya kathaṁ nu yūyam atrāgatās tanu-bhṛtāṁ manaso ’pi dūrād brūta prasīdata mahān iha vismayo me
I called upon the one Supreme Bhagavān, longing for a son like Him, and fixed my mind on Him alone. Yet He lies beyond all mental reach, and still all three of you have come here—kindly explain how, for my bewilderment is great.
Atri Muni was confidently aware that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the Lord of the universe, so he prayed for the one Supreme Lord. He was surprised, therefore, that three of them appeared.
This verse describes them as so transcendent that they are “far beyond even the mind” of embodied beings, yet they appear before Brahmā by higher, spiritual capacity.
Brahmā was stationed to generate progeny, so the sudden arrival of exalted beings who are not driven by material creation astonished him, prompting a respectful inquiry.
It teaches humility before the unknown and the habit of seeking truth respectfully—recognizing that higher wisdom can appear beyond ordinary mental limits.