Shloka 13
पुरा मया प्रोक्तमजाय नाभ्ये पद्मे निषण्णाय ममादिसर्गे । ज्ञानं परं मन्महिमावभासं यत्सूरयो भागवतं वदन्ति ॥ १३ ॥
purā mayā proktam ajāya nābhye padme niṣaṇṇāya mamādi-sarge jñānaṁ paraṁ man-mahimāvabhāsaṁ yat sūrayo bhāgavataṁ vadanti
O Uddhava, in ancient times at the dawn of creation, I instructed Brahmā, the unborn one seated upon the lotus sprung from My navel, in the supreme knowledge that reveals My transcendental glories—what the great sages call the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
The explanation of the Supreme Self, as given to Brahmā and already explained in the Second Canto of this great literature, is further clarified herein. The Lord said that the concise form of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam as explained to Brahmā was meant to elucidate His personality. The impersonal explanation of those four verses in the Second Canto is nullified herewith. Śrīdhara Svāmī also explains in this connection that the same concise form of the Bhāgavatam concerned the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa and was never meant for impersonal indulgence.
FAQs
This verse states that the Supreme Lord spoke the supreme, glory-revealing knowledge called ‘Bhāgavata’ to Brahmā at the dawn of creation, when Brahmā sat on the lotus from the Lord’s navel.
Because Brahmā is the empowered creator who requires divine guidance; the Lord’s Bhāgavata knowledge illuminates God’s glory and provides the true foundation for creation and dharma.
Study and hearing should lead to remembrance and devotion—using spiritual knowledge not merely for information, but to deepen love, humility, and surrender to the Supreme.