Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 27
Brahmā’s Prayers to Lord Nārāyaṇa and the Lord’s Empowering Instructions for Creation
अथाभिप्रेतमन्वीक्ष्य ब्रह्मणो मधुसूदन: । विषण्णचेतसं तेन कल्पव्यतिकराम्भसा ॥ २७ ॥ लोकसंस्थानविज्ञान आत्मन: परिखिद्यत: । तमाहागाधया वाचा कश्मलं शमयन्निव ॥ २८ ॥
athābhipretam anvīkṣya brahmaṇo madhusūdanaḥ viṣaṇṇa-cetasaṁ tena kalpa-vyatikarāmbhasā
Bấy giờ Madhusūdana hiểu ý Brahmā, thấy Ngài u sầu vì nước đại hoại và mệt mỏi trong việc hiểu biết cách an bài các thế giới, nên phán bằng lời sâu thẳm, như để dập tắt mọi mê lầm vừa khởi lên.
The devastating water was so fearful that even Brahmā was perturbed at its appearance and became very anxious about how to situate the different planetary systems in outer space to accommodate the different kinds of living entities, such as the human beings, those lower than the human beings, and the superhuman beings. All the planets in the universe are situated according to the different grades of living entities under the influence of the modes of material nature. There are three modes of material nature, and when they are mixed with one another they become nine. When the nine are mixed they become eighty-one, and the eighty-one also become mixed, and thus we ultimately do not know how the delusion increases and increases. Lord Brahmā had to accommodate different places and situations for the requisite bodies of the conditioned souls. The task was meant only for Brahmā, and no one in the universe can even understand how difficult it was. But by the grace of the Lord, Brahmā was able to execute the tremendous task so perfectly that everyone is amazed to see the workmanship of the vidhātā, or the regulator.
FAQs
This verse shows Madhusūdana perceiving Brahmā’s inner intention and dejection, indicating the Lord’s intimate awareness of His devotee’s mind and needs.
Brahmā felt downcast due to the overwhelming situation following the kalpa’s devastation—facing the task of organizing creation amid the remnants of dissolution.
When overwhelmed, remember that sincere intention and prayer are seen by the Lord; steadiness returns by seeking guidance and taking the next duty with faith rather than panic.