Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 42
Brahmā’s Tapasya, the Vision of Vaikuṇṭha, and the Lord’s Seed Instructions
Catuḥ-śloki
मायां विविदिषन् विष्णोर्मायेशस्य महामुनि: । महाभागवतो राजन् पितरं पर्यतोषयत् ॥ ४२ ॥
māyāṁ vividiṣan viṣṇor māyeśasya mahā-muniḥ mahā-bhāgavato rājan pitaraṁ paryatoṣayat
Ô Roi, le grand sage Nārada, suprême bhāgavata, désirant connaître les énergies de māyā de Viṣṇu, maître de toutes les puissances, réjouit profondément son père, Brahmā.
Lord Brahmā, being the creator of all living beings in the universe, is originally the father of several well-known sons, like Dakṣa, the catuḥ-sanas, and Nārada. In three departments of human knowledge disseminated by the Vedas, namely fruitive work ( karma-kāṇḍa ), transcendental knowledge ( jñāna-kāṇḍa ) and devotional service ( upāsanā-kāṇḍa ), Devarṣi Nārada inherited from his father Brahmā devotional service, whereas Dakṣa inherited from his father fruitive work, and Sanaka, Sanātana, etc., inherited from their father information about jñāna-kāṇḍa, or transcendental knowledge. But out of them all, Nārada is described here as the most beloved son of Brahmā because of good behavior, obedience, meekness and readiness to render service unto the father. And Nārada is famous as the greatest of all sages because of his being the greatest of all devotees. Nārada is the spiritual master of many famous devotees of the Lord. He is the spiritual master of Prahlāda, Dhruva and Vyāsa, down to the forest animal hunter Kirāta. His only business is to turn everyone to the transcendental loving service of the Lord. Therefore all these features of Nārada make him the dearmost son of his father, and all this is due to Nārada’s being a first-class devotee of the Lord. The devotees are always anxious to know more and more about the Supreme Lord, the master of all energies. As confirmed in the Bhagavad-gītā (10.9) :
FAQs
This verse shows that Viṣṇu’s māyā is understood not merely by intellect but by devotion—Brahmā sought to know it and pleased the Lord (the master of māyā) through worship and prayers.
Because Brahmā approaches the Supreme Lord in humility and devotion, aiming to understand the Lord’s potency and satisfying Him—hallmarks of an exalted devotee.
When confused by illusion or uncertainty, cultivate sincere devotion—regular prayer, remembrance of the Lord, and humble inquiry—rather than relying only on speculation.