Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 34
Prahlāda’s Prayers Pacify Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva
Prahlāda-stuti and the Lord’s Benediction Offer
तत्सम्भव: कविरतोऽन्यदपश्यमान- स्त्वां बीजमात्मनि ततं स बहिर्विचिन्त्य । नाविन्ददब्दशतमप्सु निमज्जमानो जातेऽङ्कुरे कथमुहोपलभेत बीजम् ॥ ३४ ॥
tat-sambhavaḥ kavir ato ’nyad apaśyamānas tvāṁ bījam ātmani tataṁ sa bahir vicintya nāvindad abda-śatam apsu nimajjamāno jāte ’ṅkure katham uhopalabheta bījam
จากดอกบัวใหญ่นั้น พระพรหมผู้เป็นกวีได้บังเกิด แต่ท่านไม่เห็นสิ่งใดนอกจากดอกบัว จึงคิดว่าพระองค์อยู่ภายนอก แล้วดำดิ่งลงสู่น้ำเพื่อค้นหาต้นกำเนิดของดอกบัวอยู่ถึงร้อยปี ทว่ามิได้พบร่องรอยของพระองค์ เพราะเมื่อเมล็ดแตกหน่อแล้ว เมล็ดเดิมย่อมไม่ปรากฏให้เห็น
This is the description of the cosmic manifestation. The development of the cosmic manifestation is like the fructification of a seed. When cotton is transformed into thread, the cotton is no longer visible, and when the thread is woven into cloth, the thread is no longer visible. Similarly, it is perfectly correct that when the seed that had generated from the navel of Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu became manifested as the cosmic creation, one could no longer understand where the cause of the cosmic manifestation is. Modern scientists have tried to explain the origin of creation by a chunk theory, but no one can explain how such a chunk might have burst. The Vedic literature, however, explains clearly that the total material energy was agitated by the three modes of material nature because of the glance of the Supreme Lord. In other words, in terms of the chunk theory, the bursting of the chunk was caused by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus one must accept the supreme cause, Lord Viṣṇu, as the cause of all causes.
FAQs
This verse teaches that the Lord is already present within (as the indwelling seed/cause), so merely external searching—like Brahmā diving into the waters—cannot reveal Him without inner realization and devotion.
Prahlāda highlights that even Brahmā, the first created being and great sage, could not find the Lord by outward investigation, underscoring the Lord’s transcendence and the need for devotional surrender.
Instead of only chasing external proofs or experiences, cultivate inner discipline—hearing, chanting, prayer, and self-examination—because the divine presence is realized by purified consciousness.