Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 48
Soma Pacifies the Pracetās; Dakṣa’s Haṁsa-guhya Prayers; Hari Grants Creative Power
मय्यनन्तगुणेऽनन्ते गुणतो गुणविग्रह: । यदासीत्तत एवाद्य: स्वयम्भू: समभूदज: ॥ ४८ ॥
mayy ananta-guṇe ’nante guṇato guṇa-vigrahaḥ yadāsīt tata evādyaḥ svayambhūḥ samabhūd ajaḥ
Ako ang sisidlan ng walang-hanggang kapangyarihan at mga katangian; kaya Ako’y kilala bilang Walang-Hanggan at Laganap sa Lahat. Mula sa Aking materyal na lakas (māyā), ang pagpapakita ng sansinukob ay lumitaw sa loob Ko; at sa pagpapakitang iyon ay lumitaw ang pangunahing nilalang, si Panginoong Brahmā—Svayambhū at Aja—ang pinagmulan ninyo, na hindi isinilang mula sa isang materyal na ina.
This is a description of the history of the universal creation. The first cause is the Lord Himself, the Supreme Person. From Him, Brahmā is created, and Brahmā takes charge of the affairs of the universe. The universal affairs of the material creation depend upon the material energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is therefore the cause of the material creation. The entire cosmic manifestation is described herein as guṇa-vigrahaḥ, the form of the Lord’s qualities. From the cosmic universal form, the first creation is Lord Brahmā, who is the cause of all living entities. In this regard, Śrīla Madhvācārya describes the unlimited attributes of the Lord:
FAQs
This verse states that the first created being, Brahmā, manifests from the Supreme Reality; he is called svayambhū because he appears without material parents, yet his source is the Infinite Lord.
‘Aja’ here emphasizes that Brahmā is not born from ordinary biological generation; he manifests directly from the Lord’s pre-existing eternal reality.
It encourages devotion and humility: all abilities and qualities ultimately come from the Supreme, so one should use one’s talents in service rather than ego.