Shloka 49
Soma Pacifies the Pracetās; Dakṣa’s Haṁsa-guhya Prayers; Hari Grants Creative Power
स वै यदा महादेवो मम वीर्योपबृंहित: । मेने खिलमिवात्मानमुद्यत: स्वर्गकर्मणि ॥ ४९ ॥ अथ मेऽभिहितो देवस्तपोऽतप्यत दारुणम् । नव विश्वसृजो युष्मान् येनादावसृजद्विभु: ॥ ५० ॥
sa vai yadā mahādevo mama vīryopabṛṁhitaḥ mene khilam ivātmānam udyataḥ svarga-karmaṇi
విశ్వానికి అధిపతి అయిన బ్రహ్మదేవుడు, నా శక్తితో ప్రేరణ పొంది సృష్టిని ప్రారంభించడానికి ప్రయత్నించినప్పుడు, తాను అసమర్థుడని భావించాడు.
Nothing is possible without tapasya. Lord Brahmā, however, was empowered to create this entire universe because of his austerities. The more we engage in austerities, the more we become powerful by the grace of the Lord. Therefore Ṛṣabhadeva advised His sons, tapo divyaṁ putrakā yena sattvaṁ śuddhyed: “One should engage in penance and austerity to attain the divine position of devotional service. By such activity, one’s heart is purified.” ( Bhāg. 5.5.1 ) In our material existence we are impure, and therefore we cannot do anything wonderful, but if we purify our existence by tapasya, we can do wonderful things by the grace of the Lord. Therefore tapasya is very important, as stressed in this verse.
FAQs
This verse states that Mahādeva became strengthened by Brahmā’s potency and then undertook duties connected with heavenly administration (svarga-karma).
Because in the narrative Brahmā is explaining how universal functions proceed through delegated power—great devas act effectively when empowered for their assigned roles.
The verse highlights responsible service: when given ability or authority, one should use it in one’s rightful duty with humility, seeing power as entrusted, not self-made.