Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 8
Brahmā’s Secondary Creation, Kāla (Eternal Time), and the Taxonomy of Species
पद्मकोशं तदाविश्य भगवत्कर्मचोदित: । एकं व्यभाङ्क्षीदुरुधा त्रिधा भाव्यं द्विसप्तधा ॥ ८ ॥
padma-kośaṁ tadāviśya bhagavat-karma-coditaḥ ekaṁ vyabhāṅkṣīd urudhā tridhā bhāvyaṁ dvi-saptadhā
भगवत्कर्मचोदितः स ब्रह्मा पद्मकोशं प्रविश्य, विश्वव्यापिनं तदेकं त्रिधा विभज्य, पश्चाद् द्विसप्तधा च व्यभाङ्क्षीत्।
FAQs
This verse states that Brahmā, empowered by the Lord, divides creation into fourteen divisions—understood as the fourteen planetary systems (two sets of seven lokas).
Brahmā enters the lotus-whorl to begin secondary creation, acting under the impetus of Bhagavān’s creative will rather than independently.
It encourages humility and devotion—recognizing that intelligence and achievement are most fruitful when aligned with divine purpose and higher dharma.