Shloka 18
Transmission of Bhāgavata Wisdom and Brahmā’s Vision of the Supreme Lord on Ananta
क एष योऽसावहमब्जपृष्ठ एतत्कुतो वाब्जमनन्यदप्सु । अस्ति ह्यधस्तादिह किञ्चनैत- दधिष्ठितं यत्र सता नु भाव्यम् ॥ १८ ॥
ka eṣa yo ’sāv aham abja-pṛṣṭha etat kuto vābjam ananyad apsu asti hy adhastād iha kiñcanaitad adhiṣṭhitaṁ yatra satā nu bhāvyam
Trong vô minh, Brahmā tự vấn: Ta là ai mà ngồi trên đỉnh đóa sen này? Đóa sen này mọc từ đâu? Hẳn bên dưới có điều gì đó, và cội nguồn khiến sen vươn lên chắc ở ngay trong nước.
The subject matter of the speculations of Brahmā in the beginning regarding the creation of the cosmic manifestation is still a subject matter for mental speculators. The most intelligent man is he who tries to find the cause of his personal existence and that of the whole cosmic creation and thus tries to find the ultimate cause. If his attempt is properly executed with penances and perseverance, it is sure to be crowned with success.
FAQs
In this verse Brahma, seated on the lotus, reasons that the lotus must have a foundation and begins inquiring into the source beneath it—pointing to the Supreme Lord as the ultimate support of existence.
Brahma had just manifested on the lotus in the cosmic waters and, not seeing any other reference point, he questioned his own identity and the lotus’s origin, initiating his search for the source (Vishnu) from whom creation proceeds.
Like Brahma, cultivate humility and inquiry: recognize that our position and abilities rest on deeper support, and seek the ultimate foundation—God and dharma—rather than assuming independence.