Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 7
Priyavrata Accepts Kingship by Brahmā’s Instruction; Sapta-dvīpa Formation and Renunciation
अथ ह भगवानादिदेव एतस्य गुणविसर्गस्य परिबृंहणानुध्यानव्यवसित सकलजगदभिप्राय आत्मयोनिरखिलनिगमनिजगणपरिवेष्टित: स्वभवनादवततार ॥ ७ ॥
atha ha bhagavān ādi-deva etasya guṇa-visargasya paribṛṁhaṇānudhyāna-vyavasita-sakala-jagad-abhiprāya ātma-yonir akhila-nigama-nija-gaṇa-pariveṣṭitaḥ sva-bhavanād avatatāra.
Alors le Bhagavān Brahmā, le deva primordial, voué à la contemplation et à l’ordonnancement de l’expansion de la création selon les guṇas, connaissant l’intention de l’univers entier, né de lui-même, entouré des Veda personnifiés et de ses compagnons, descendit de sa demeure.
Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Self ( ātmā ), is the source of everything, as explained in the Vedānta-sūtra: janmādy asya yataḥ. Because Brahmā was born directly from Lord Viṣṇu, he is called ātma-yoni. He is also called bhagavān, although generally bhagavān refers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead (Viṣṇu or Lord Kṛṣṇa). Sometimes great personalities — such as demigods like Lord Brahmā, Nārada or Lord Śiva — are also addressed as bhagavān because they carry out the purpose of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Lord Brahmā is called bhagavān because he is the secondary creator of this universe. He is always thinking of how to improve the situation of the conditioned souls who have come to the material world to enjoy material activities. For this reason, he disseminates the Vedic knowledge throughout the universe for everyone’s guidance.
FAQs
This verse says the original Lord descends from His own abode to strengthen and properly direct the unfolding of creation through the modes of nature, fully knowing the intentions of all beings.
To show that the Lord’s descent is not ordinary: He appears with divine authority (the Vedas) and with His personal entourage, indicating His supreme status and purposeful intervention in cosmic order.
It encourages inner sincerity: spiritual practice in bhakti is most effective when motives are purified, since the Lord responds to genuine intent, not mere external display.