Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 50
Soma Pacifies the Pracetās; Dakṣa’s Haṁsa-guhya Prayers; Hari Grants Creative Power
स वै यदा महादेवो मम वीर्योपबृंहित: । मेने खिलमिवात्मानमुद्यत: स्वर्गकर्मणि ॥ ४९ ॥ अथ मेऽभिहितो देवस्तपोऽतप्यत दारुणम् । नव विश्वसृजो युष्मान् येनादावसृजद्विभु: ॥ ५० ॥
sa vai yadā mahādevo mama vīryopabṛṁhitaḥ mene khilam ivātmānam udyataḥ svarga-karmaṇi
Therefore I gave him advice, and in accordance with My instructions he underwent extremely difficult austerities. Because of these austerities, the great Lord Brahma was able to create nine personalities, including you, to help him in the functions of creation.
Nothing is possible without tapasya. Lord Brahmā, however, was empowered to create this entire universe because of his austerities. The more we engage in austerities, the more we become powerful by the grace of the Lord. Therefore Ṛṣabhadeva advised His sons, tapo divyaṁ putrakā yena sattvaṁ śuddhyed: “One should engage in penance and austerity to attain the divine position of devotional service. By such activity, one’s heart is purified.” ( Bhāg. 5.5.1 ) In our material existence we are impure, and therefore we cannot do anything wonderful, but if we purify our existence by tapasya, we can do wonderful things by the grace of the Lord. Therefore tapasya is very important, as stressed in this verse.
FAQs
This verse portrays Mahādeva as profoundly humble—seeing himself like a blade of grass—even when empowered and engaged in exalted works.
Dakṣa is recounting the cosmic creation context and the attitudes of great beings, highlighting that true greatness is marked by humility despite power and achievement.
Even when successful or empowered, cultivate the mood of service and smallness, avoiding pride in results—especially in religious or worldly achievements.