Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 17
Brahmā’s Tapasya, the Vision of Vaikuṇṭha, and the Lord’s Seed Instructions
Catuḥ-śloki
अध्यर्हणीयासनमास्थितं परं वृतं चतु:षोडशपञ्चशक्तिभि: । युक्तं भगै: स्वैरितरत्र चाध्रुवै: स्व एव धामन् रममाणमीश्वरम् ॥ १७ ॥
adhyarhaṇīyāsanam āsthitaṁ paraṁ vṛtaṁ catuḥ-ṣoḍaśa-pañca-śaktibhiḥ yuktaṁ bhagaiḥ svair itaratra cādhruvaiḥ sva eva dhāman ramamāṇam īśvaram
至上主安坐于最应受供养的宝座上，周围环绕着“四”“十六”“五”“六”等诸般能量，以及其他暂时性的次要能量；然而祂确是真实的至上主，在自己的圣境中自得其乐。
The Lord is naturally endowed with His six opulences. Specifically, He is the richest, He is the most powerful, He is the most famous, He is the most beautiful, He is the greatest in knowledge, and He is the greatest renouncer as well. And for His material creative energies, He is served by four, namely the principles of prakṛti, puruṣa, mahat-tattva and ego. He is also served by the sixteen, namely the five elements (earth, water, air, fire and sky), the five perceptive sense organs (the eye, ear, nose, tongue and skin), the five working sense organs (the hand, the leg, the stomach, the evacuation outlet and the genitals) and the mind. The five includes the sense objects, namely form, taste, smell, sound and touch. All these twenty-five items serve the Lord in the material creation, and all of them are personally present to serve the Lord. The insignificant opulences numbering eight (the aṣṭa-siddhis, attained by yogīs for temporary overlordship) are also under His control, but He is naturally full with all such powers without any effort, and therefore He is the Supreme Lord.
FAQs
It describes the Supreme Lord enthroned in His own eternal abode, surrounded by His divine potencies and fully endowed with His opulences, independent of all temporary powers.
To show that Bhagavān is not alone or dependent—His internal energies eternally serve and manifest His glory, distinguishing His spiritual realm from the changing material world.
It teaches steadiness: seek refuge in the eternal Lord and His service rather than chasing unstable, temporary powers like status, control, or material success.