Shloka 41
Brahmā’s Prayers to Lord Kṛṣṇa (Brahmā-stuti) and the Restoration of Vraja’s Lunch Pastime
श्रीशुक उवाच इत्यभिष्टूय भूमानं त्रि: परिक्रम्य पादयो: । नत्वाभीष्टं जगद्धाता स्वधाम प्रत्यपद्यत ॥ ४१ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca ity abhiṣṭūya bhūmānaṁ triḥ parikramya pādayoḥ natvābhīṣṭaṁ jagad-dhātā sva-dhāma pratyapadyata
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having thus offered his prayers, Brahmā circumambulated his worshipable Lord, the unlimited Personality of Godhead, three times and then bowed down at His lotus feet. The appointed creator of the universe then returned to his own residence.
Although Lord Brahmā had prayed to take birth as a blade of grass in Vṛndāvana or even in the area surrounding Vṛndāvana, Lord Kṛṣṇa, by His silent response to Brahmā’s prayers, indicated that Brahmā should return to his own abode. First Brahmā had to complete his personal devotional service of universal creation; then he could come to Vṛndāvana and get the mercy of the inhabitants there. In other words, a devotee should always be attentive to executing his personal devotional service properly. This is more important than trying to live in the Lord’s abode.
FAQs
This verse shows Brahmā honoring Kṛṣṇa through threefold circumambulation and prostrated obeisance, presenting these acts as natural expressions of reverence and devotion to the Supreme Lord.
After glorifying Kṛṣṇa and offering obeisances, Brahmā received the inner resolution/boon he sought—reconciliation and clarity about Kṛṣṇa’s supremacy—and then departed to resume his service as the universe’s creator.
A practical takeaway is to acknowledge limits of one’s understanding, offer sincere prayer, and express devotion through simple acts of reverence—like respectful remembrance, gratitude, and humble conduct—before returning to one’s duties.