Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 16
Devas in Dvārakā, Brahmā’s Petition, and Uddhava’s Appeal
Prabhāsa Departure Set-Up
त्वत्त: पुमान् समधिगम्य ययास्य वीर्यं धत्ते महान्तमिव गर्भममोघवीर्य: । सोऽयं तयानुगत आत्मन आण्डकोशं हैमं ससर्ज बहिरावरणैरुपेतम् ॥ १६ ॥
tvattaḥ pumān samadhigamya yayāsya vīryaṁ dhatte mahāntam iva garbham amogha-vīryaḥ so ’yaṁ tayānugata ātmana āṇḍa-kośaṁ haimaṁ sasarja bahir āvaraṇair upetam
My Lord, the original puruṣa-avatāra Mahā-Viṣṇu receives His creative potency from You; with infallible energy He impregnates prakṛti and brings forth the mahat-tattva. Then the mahat-tattva, endowed with the Lord’s power, produces the primeval golden egg of the universe, covered by various layers of material elements.
In the previous verses the supremacy of the Personality of Godhead has been established in relation to the living entity and material nature. In this verse it is clearly stated that Lord Kṛṣṇa is the source of the greatest Viṣṇu incarnation, Mahā-Viṣṇu, and that Mahā-Viṣṇu acquires His creative potency from Lord Kṛṣṇa. It would therefore be foolish to surmise that Lord Kṛṣṇa is an expansion of Viṣṇu. In this regard the opinion of the demigods, headed by Brahmā, can be taken as final.
FAQs
This verse states that, by the Lord’s unfailing potency, the Supreme Person manifests a golden cosmic egg, which is then surrounded by external coverings—describing the universe’s initial enclosure and structure.
He explains that all cosmic manifestation proceeds from the Supreme Lord’s potency, reinforcing devotion and right understanding: the universe is dependent on Bhagavān, not independent or self-caused.
Seeing all power and outcomes as ultimately resting on the Lord’s potency fosters humility, gratitude, and steadiness—reducing ego-driven anxiety and strengthening bhakti.