Shloka 6
Brahmā’s Secondary Creation, Kāla (Eternal Time), and the Taxonomy of Species
तपसा ह्येधमानेन विद्यया चात्मसंस्थया । विवृद्धविज्ञानबलो न्यपाद् वायुं सहाम्भसा ॥ ६ ॥
tapasā hy edhamānena vidyayā cātma-saṁsthayā vivṛddha-vijñāna-balo nyapād vāyuṁ sahāmbhasā
तप से दीप्त और आत्मसंस्थ विद्या से परिपक्व होकर ब्रह्मा का विज्ञान-बल बढ़ गया; तब उन्होंने जल सहित उस वायु को भी पीकर (शान्त कर) दिया।
Lord Brahmā’s struggle for existence is a personal example of the continued fight between the living entities in the material world and the illusory energy called māyā. Beginning from Brahmā down to this age, the living entities are struggling with the forces of material nature. By advanced knowledge in science and transcendental realization, one can try to control the material energy, which works against our endeavors, and in the modern age advanced material scientific knowledge and penance have played very wonderful roles in controlling the powers of the material energy. Such control of the material energy, however, can be most successfully carried out if one is a soul surrendered unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead and carries out His order in the spirit of loving transcendental service.
FAQs
This verse explains that through intensifying austerity and self-established spiritual knowledge, Brahmā’s realized wisdom became powerful, enabling him to set the elements into motion—showing tapasya as a source of divine empowerment aligned with higher knowledge.
Because the knowledge driving creation is not merely intellectual; it is inwardly realized and anchored in the self, making it effective and spiritually potent rather than speculative.
Pair disciplined practice (tapasya) with inner spiritual study and contemplation so that your understanding becomes realized wisdom—then your actions gain clarity, steadiness, and constructive power.