Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 9
Brahmā’s Tapasya, the Vision of Vaikuṇṭha, and the Lord’s Seed Instructions
Catuḥ-śloki
तस्मै स्वलोकं भगवान् सभाजित: सन्दर्शयामास परं न यत्परम् । व्यपेतसंक्लेशविमोहसाध्वसं स्वदृष्टवद्भिर्पुरुषैरभिष्टुतम् ॥ ९ ॥
tasmai sva-lokaṁ bhagavān sabhājitaḥ sandarśayām āsa paraṁ na yat-param vyapeta-saṅkleśa-vimoha-sādhvasaṁ sva-dṛṣṭavadbhir puruṣair abhiṣṭutam
इस प्रकार ब्रह्मा की तपस्या से भगवान् अत्यन्त प्रसन्न हुए और उन्हें अपना परम धाम—वैкун्ठ—दिखलाया, जो सब लोकों से परे सर्वोच्च है। वह धाम दुःख, मोह और भय से रहित है तथा आत्मसाक्षात्कार प्राप्त पुरुषों द्वारा पूजित और स्तुत है।
The troubles of penance accepted by Lord Brahmā were certainly in the line of devotional service ( bhakti ). Otherwise there was no chance that Vaikuṇṭha or svalokam, the Lord’s personal abodes, would become visible to Brahmājī. The personal abodes of the Lord, known as Vaikuṇṭhas, are neither mythical nor material, as conceived by the impersonalists. But realization of the transcendental abodes of the Lord is possible only through devotional service, and thus the devotees enter into such abodes. There is undoubtedly trouble in executing penance. But the trouble accepted in executing bhakti-yoga is transcendental happiness from the very beginning, whereas the trouble of penance in other processes of self-realization ( jñāna-yoga, dhyāna-yoga, etc.), without any Vaikuṇṭha realization, ends in trouble only and nothing more. There is no profit in beating husks without grains. Similarly, there is no profit in executing troublesome penances other than bhakti-yoga for self-realization.
FAQs
This verse says the Lord’s own abode is supreme—beyond any higher destination—and is free from misery, illusion, and fear, praised by perfected souls who have directly seen it.
Because Brahmā had respectfully worshiped and offered prayers, the Lord reciprocated by granting him divine vision of the supreme realm, strengthening Brahmā’s realization and mission of creation under divine guidance.
It teaches that sincere reverence and devotional prayer invite divine guidance; by cultivating bhakti, one gradually becomes free from fear and confusion and moves toward the Lord’s spiritual shelter.