Shloka 17
अध्याय ३५१ — उञ्छवृत्ति-व्रतसिद्धेः मानुषस्य परमगतिः
Sūrya–Nāga Dialogue on the Perfected Gleaner-Ascetic
प्राप्ते प्रजाविसग्े वै सप्तमे पद्मसम्भवे । नारायणो महायोगी शुभाशुभविवर्जित:,“जब सातवें कल्पके आरम्भमें सातवीं बार ब्रह्माजीके कमलसे जन्म-ग्रहण करनेका अवसर आया, तब शुभ और अशुभसे रहित अमिततेजस्वी महायोगी भगवान् नारायणने सबसे पहले अपने नाभिकमलसे ब्रह्माजीको उत्पन्न किया। जब ब्रह्माजी प्रकट हो गये, तब उनसे भगवानने यह बात कही--
prāpte prajāvisarge vai saptame padmasambhave | nārāyaṇo mahāyogī śubhāśubhavivarjitaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: When the time arrived for the creation of beings—at the seventh manifestation of the Lotus-born (Brahmā)—the great yogin Nārāyaṇa, free from both auspicious and inauspicious (merit and demerit), brought forth Brahmā first from the lotus of his navel. After Brahmā appeared, the Lord addressed him further.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents Nārāyaṇa as transcending moral dualities (śubha/āśubha) and as the primordial source of creation, implying that the supreme reality stands beyond merit and demerit while still initiating cosmic order.
At the onset of a creation cycle, Nārāyaṇa manifests Brahmā (the Lotus-born) from the navel-lotus; once Brahmā appears, Nārāyaṇa begins to instruct him, setting the stage for the subsequent account.