Shloka 43
Dakṣa’s Sacrifice Restored: Śiva’s Mercy and Nārāyaṇa’s Appearance
गन्धर्वा ऊचु: अंशांशास्ते देव मरीच्यादय एते ब्रह्मेन्द्राद्या देवगणा रुद्रपुरोगा: । क्रीडाभाण्डं विश्वमिदं यस्य विभूमन् तस्मै नित्यं नाथ नमस्ते करवाम ॥ ४३ ॥
gandharvā ūcuḥ aṁśāṁśās te deva marīcy-ādaya ete brahmendrādyā deva-gaṇā rudra-purogāḥ krīḍā-bhāṇḍaṁ viśvam idaṁ yasya vibhūman tasmai nityaṁ nātha namas te karavāma
The Gandharvas said: O Lord, Marīci and the other sages, along with Brahmā, Indra, and the hosts of devas led by Rudra, are but parts of Your parts. O Almighty One, this whole universe is like a plaything in Your divine līlā. O Master, we ever offer You our obeisances and accept You as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
In the Brahma-saṁhitā it is said that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There may be many gods, from Brahmā, Lord Śiva, Indra and Candra down to the rulers of the lower planetary systems, and the presidents, ministers, chairmen and kings. In fact, anyone can think that he is God. That is the false, puffed-up conviction of material life. Actually Viṣṇu is the Supreme Lord, but there is even one above Viṣṇu, for Viṣṇu is also the plenary portion of a part of Kṛṣṇa. In this verse this is referred to by the word aṁśāṁśāḥ, which refers to part and parcel of a part and parcel. There are similar verses in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta which indicate that the Supreme Lord’s parts and parcels again expand into other parts and parcels. As described in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, there are many manifestations of Viṣṇu and many manifestations of living entities. Viṣṇu manifestations are called svāṁśa, partial manifestations, and the living entities are called vibhinnāṁśa. The demigods like Brahmā and Indra have been promoted to such exalted positions by pious activities and austerities, but actually Viṣṇu, or Kṛṣṇa, is the master of everyone. In the Caitanya-caritāmṛta it is said, ekale īśvara kṛṣṇa, āra saba bhṛtya. This means that Kṛṣṇa alone is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and all others, even the viṣṇu-tattva and certainly the living entities, are His servitors. Baladeva is the immediate expansion of Kṛṣṇa. He also engages in the service of Kṛṣṇa, and certainly the ordinary living entities are serving. Everyone is created, constitutionally, for serving Kṛṣṇa. Here the Gandharvas acknowledge that although the demigods may represent themselves as the Supreme, actually they are not supreme. Real supremacy belongs to Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam is the statement of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam: “Kṛṣṇa is the only Supreme Lord.” Worship of Kṛṣṇa alone, therefore, includes worship of all the parts and parcels, just as watering the root of a tree also waters all the branches, twigs, leaves and flowers.
FAQs
This verse states that even Brahmā, Indra, and the demigod hosts headed by Rudra are expansions of the Lord’s potency, while great sages like Marīci are portions of His portions—affirming the Lord’s supreme position.
During the restoration of Daksha’s sacrifice, various beings glorify the Supreme Lord; the Gandharvas praise Him as the all-pervading master from whom even the demigods and sages derive their power.
It cultivates humility and surrender: recognizing that cosmic events and personal outcomes are ultimately under divine control helps one act responsibly while remaining peaceful and devotional.