Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 19
Brahmā’s Tapasya, the Vision of Vaikuṇṭha, and the Lord’s Seed Instructions
Catuḥ-śloki
तं प्रीयमाणं समुपस्थितं कविं प्रजाविसर्गे निजशासनार्हणम् । बभाष ईषत्स्मितशोचिषा गिरा प्रिय: प्रियं प्रीतमना: करे स्पृशन् ॥ १९ ॥
taṁ prīyamāṇaṁ samupasthitaṁ kaviṁ prajā-visarge nija-śāsanārhaṇam babhāṣa īṣat-smita-śociṣā girā priyaḥ priyaṁ prīta-manāḥ kare spṛśan
เมื่อทอดพระเนตรพรหมาผู้เป็นฤๅษีกวีมายืนอยู่ด้วยใจเปี่ยมปีติ สมควรแก่การสร้างสรรพชีวิตและอยู่ภายใต้พระประสงค์ของพระองค์ พระผู้เป็นเจ้าก็ทรงพอพระทัยยิ่งนัก พระองค์ทรงแตะมือพรหมาด้วยความเอ็นดู และตรัสด้วยวาจาอันไพเราะสว่างไสว พร้อมรอยยิ้มบาง ๆ
The creation of the material world is not blind or accidental. The living entities who are ever conditioned, or nitya-baddha, are thus given a chance for liberation under the guidance of His own representative like Brahmā. The Lord instructs Brahmā in Vedic knowledge in order to diffuse this knowledge to the conditioned souls. The conditioned souls are forgetful souls in their relationship with the Lord, and thus a period of creation and the process of dissemination of Vedic knowledge are necessary activities of the Lord. Lord Brahmā has a great responsibility in delivering the conditioned souls, and therefore he is very dear to the Lord.
FAQs
This verse shows that Brahmā becomes empowered for creation by the Lord’s direct instruction and personal grace—symbolized by the Lord’s affectionate speech and touch.
Because Brahmā approached in a pleased, surrendered mood, the Lord responded as a loving well-wisher—confirming Brahmā’s readiness and empowering him for the duty of prajā-sarga (creating living beings).
Approach spiritual duties with sincerity and a service attitude; divine guidance comes when one is receptive, humble, and ready to accept higher instruction for meaningful responsibility.