Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 1
Brahmā’s Secondary Creation, Kāla (Eternal Time), and the Taxonomy of Species
विदुर उवाच अन्तर्हिते भगवति ब्रह्मा लोकपितामह: । प्रजा: ससर्ज कतिधा दैहिकीर्मानसीर्विभु: ॥ १ ॥
vidura uvāca antarhite bhagavati brahmā loka-pitāmahaḥ prajāḥ sasarja katidhā daihikīr mānasīr vibhuḥ
विदुर उवाच—भगवति अन्तर्हिते, लोकपितामहः ब्रह्मा विभुः स्वदेहात् स्वमनसश्च प्रजानां देहान् कतिधा ससर्ज? तन्मे ब्रूहि मुनिसत्तम॥
FAQs
This verse indicates that Brahmā creates progeny in multiple modes, including mānasī (mind-born) creation—beings manifested directly from his mind—alongside daihikī (bodily) generation.
Vidura is tracing the sequence of cosmic creation: after the Supreme Lord withdraws from direct visibility, Brahmā, empowered by Him, proceeds to generate various categories of living beings.
It cultivates humility and God-centered vision: recognizing that even great creators and leaders act by higher empowerment encourages responsibility, reverence, and reliance on the Supreme rather than ego.