Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 11
Priyavrata Accepts Kingship by Brahmā’s Instruction; Sapta-dvīpa Formation and Renunciation
श्रीभगवानुवाच निबोध तातेदमृतं ब्रवीमि मासूयितुं देवमर्हस्यप्रमेयम् । वयं भवस्ते तत एष महर्षि- र्वहाम सर्वे विवशा यस्य दिष्टम् ॥ ११ ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca nibodha tātedam ṛtaṁ bravīmi māsūyituṁ devam arhasy aprameyam vayaṁ bhavas te tata eṣa maharṣir vahāma sarve vivaśā yasya diṣṭam
Lord Brahmā said: My dear son Priyavrata, listen carefully as I speak a beneficial truth, like nectar. Do not envy the Supreme Lord, who is beyond our power to measure. All of us—including Śiva, your father, and the great sage Nārada—must, without exception, carry out His decree; we cannot deviate from His order.
Of the twelve great authorities in devotional service, four — Lord Brahmā himself, his son Nārada, Svāyambhuva Manu and Lord Śiva — were present before Priyavrata. They were accompanied by many other authoritative sages. Brahmā first wanted to impress upon Priyavrata that although these great personalities are all authorities, they cannot possibly disobey the orders of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is described in this verse as deva, which means “always glorious.” The power, glory and potencies of the Supreme Personality of Godhead can never be diminished. In the Īśopaniṣad, the Lord is described as apāpa-viddha, which indicates that He is never affected by anything materially considered sinful. Similarly, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam describes the Supreme Personality of Godhead as being so powerful that nothing we might consider abominable can affect Him. An example sometimes given to explain the position of the Supreme Lord is that of the sun, which evaporates urine from the earth but is never affected by contamination. The Supreme Lord can never be accused of doing anything wrong.
FAQs
This verse teaches that the Supreme Lord is aprameya (immeasurable) and that one should not fault Him; all beings, even great devas and sages, move under His ordinance.
Ṛṣabhadeva emphasizes humility and right understanding: since everyone is governed by the Lord’s arrangement, criticism arises from ignorance of His supreme control and inconceivable nature.
Accept what is beyond control without resentment, avoid blaming God for hardships, and focus on sincere duty and devotion, trusting the Lord’s higher arrangement.