Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 2
Soma Pacifies the Pracetās; Dakṣa’s Haṁsa-guhya Prayers; Hari Grants Creative Power
श्रीराजोवाच देवासुरनृणां सर्गो नागानां मृगपक्षिणाम् । सामासिकस्त्वया प्रोक्तो यस्तु स्वायम्भुवेऽन्तरे ॥ १ ॥ तस्यैव व्यासमिच्छामि ज्ञातुं ते भगवन् यथा । अनुसर्गं यया शक्त्या ससर्ज भगवान् पर: ॥ २ ॥
śrī-rājovāca devāsura-nṛṇāṁ sargo nāgānāṁ mṛga-pakṣiṇām sāmāsikas tvayā prokto yas tu svāyambhuve ’ntare
The blessed King said: During the reign of Svāyambhuva Manu, the devas, asuras, human beings, Nāgas, beasts, and birds were created, and you have described this briefly. Now, O venerable one, I wish to know it in detail, and I also wish to understand by what potency the Supreme Bhagavān carried out the secondary creation (anusarga).
FAQs
This verse frames the inquiry: after hearing a brief account of living beings’ creation, Parīkṣit asks how the Lord’s potency brings about the detailed, secondary creation (anusarga).
Parīkṣit had heard a summarized description for Svāyambhuva Manu’s era and now seeks a fuller, step-by-step understanding of how the Supreme Lord’s energy operates in creation.
Approach spiritual knowledge with sincere inquiry: move from summary understanding to deeper study, and see the world as governed by the Supreme Lord’s conscious potency rather than mere chance.