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Shloka 34

Brahmā’s Prayers to Lord Nārāyaṇa and the Lord’s Empowering Instructions for Creation

नानाकर्मवितानेन प्रजा बह्वी: सिसृक्षत: । नात्मावसीदत्यस्मिंस्ते वर्षीयान्मदनुग्रह: ॥ ३४ ॥

nānā-karma-vitānena prajā bahvīḥ sisṛkṣataḥ nātmāvasīdaty asmiṁs te varṣīyān mad-anugrahaḥ

ਤੂੰ ਨਾਨਾ ਕਰਮ-ਵਿਸਤਾਰ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਅਣਗਿਣਤ ਪ੍ਰਜਾ ਵਧਾਉਣ ਅਤੇ ਸੇਵਾ ਦੇ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਰੂਪ ਫੈਲਾਉਣ ਦੀ ਇੱਛਾ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ; ਇਸ ਲਈ ਇਸ ਮਾਮਲੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੂੰ ਕਦੇ ਵੀ ਵੰਝਲਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋਵੇਂਗਾ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਤੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਮੇਰੀ ਨਿਰਹੇਤੁਕ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਸਦਾ ਵਧਦੀ ਰਹੇਗੀ।

nānā-karma-vitānenaby the expanse of various actions
nānā-karma-vitānena:
Karana (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootnānā (अव्यय) + karma (प्रातिपदिक) + vitāna (प्रातिपदिक)
Formतत्पुरुष-समास (‘by the spread/expanse of various actions’); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; instrumental
prajāḥcreatures/progeny
prajāḥ:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootprajā (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; object of ‘sisṛkṣataḥ’ (to create progeny)
bahvīḥmany
bahvīḥ:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeAdjective
Rootbahvī (प्रातिपदिक; fem. of bahu)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण (of ‘prajāḥ’)
sisṛkṣataḥof (you) wishing to create
sisṛkṣataḥ:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeVerb
Rootsisṛkṣat (कृदन्त; desiderative from √sṛj सृज्)
Formसन्नन्त (desiderative) वर्तमान-कृदन्त (present participle), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; ‘of (you) desiring to create’
nanot
na:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootna (अव्यय)
Formअव्यय; निषेध-निपात (negation)
ātmāthe self/mind
ātmā:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootātman (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; subject
avasīdatbecame despondent/sank
avasīdat:
Kriya (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootava-sīd (धातु; √sad सद् with अव-)
Formलङ्-लकार (imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; ‘did not sink/become despondent’ (with na)
asminin this
asmin:
Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
TypeNoun
Rootidam (प्रातिपदिक)
Formसर्वनाम; सप्तमी, एकवचन; locative—“in this (task/state)”
teyour/of you
te:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeNoun
Rootyusmad (प्रातिपदिक)
Formसर्वनाम; षष्ठी (genitive), एकवचन; “of you/your”
varṣīyāngreater, stronger
varṣīyān:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeAdjective
Rootvarṣīyas (प्रातिपदिक; comparative)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (of ‘mad-anugrahaḥ’): ‘greater/stronger’
matmy/of me
mat:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeNoun
Rootasmad (प्रातिपदिक)
Formसर्वनाम; षष्ठी-एकवचन का रूप ‘मत्’ (before vowel in compound); “of me”
anugrahaḥgrace, favor
anugrahaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootanugraha (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; subject-complement: ‘favor/grace’

A pure devotee of the Lord, being cognizant of the facts of the particular time, object and circumstances, always desires to expand the number of devotees of the Lord in various ways. Such expansions of transcendental service may appear to be material to the materialist, but factually they are expansions of the causeless mercy of the Lord towards the devotee. Plans for such activities may appear to be material activities, but they are different in potency, being engaged in the satisfaction of the transcendental senses of the Supreme.

V
Viṣṇu
B
Brahmā

FAQs

In this verse, Lord Viṣṇu tells Brahmā not to become despondent while undertaking creation; divine favor (anugraha) sustains and empowers sincere service.

Brahmā was charged with generating many kinds of beings through varied karmic arrangements; the Lord reassures him that he will not be unsupported—His mercy will steady Brahmā in the task.

When responsibilities feel overwhelming, continue your duty without inner collapse—seek steadiness through prayer, remembrance of God’s guidance, and confidence that sincere effort is supported by divine grace.