Shloka 22
Secondary Creation Begins: Brahmā’s Productions, the Guṇas, and the Emergence of Orders of Beings
देवता: प्रभया या या दीव्यन् प्रमुखतोऽसृजत् । ते अहार्षुर्देवयन्तो विसृष्टां तां प्रभामह: ॥ २२ ॥
devatāḥ prabhayā yā yā dīvyan pramukhato ’sṛjat te ahārṣur devayanto visṛṣṭāṁ tāṁ prabhām ahaḥ
He then created the chief demigods, radiant with the glory of goodness (sattva). Before them he set down the effulgent form of daytime, and the demigods, in playful joy, took possession of it.
Demons were born from the creation of night, and the demigods were born from the creation of day. In other words, demons like the Yakṣas and Rākṣasas are born of the quality of ignorance, and demigods are born of the quality of goodness.
FAQs
This verse describes Brahmā emitting various forms of radiance during creation, which the devatās accept—showing that cosmic functions are empowered through divinely generated energies.
In the creation narrative of Canto 3, demigods arise with specific roles; accepting the emanated prabhā indicates receiving their allotted powers and spheres of influence within the created order.
It encourages recognizing that abilities and “brightness” are received through higher arrangement; one can practice humility and use one’s gifts in service rather than ego.