Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 9
Brahmā’s Tapasya, the Vision of Vaikuṇṭha, and the Lord’s Seed Instructions
Catuḥ-śloki
तस्मै स्वलोकं भगवान् सभाजित: सन्दर्शयामास परं न यत्परम् । व्यपेतसंक्लेशविमोहसाध्वसं स्वदृष्टवद्भिर्पुरुषैरभिष्टुतम् ॥ ९ ॥
tasmai sva-lokaṁ bhagavān sabhājitaḥ sandarśayām āsa paraṁ na yat-param vyapeta-saṅkleśa-vimoha-sādhvasaṁ sva-dṛṣṭavadbhir puruṣair abhiṣṭutam
至上人格神因梵天的苦行而大为欢喜，遂向他显现自己的本住处——毗昆塔，那是超越一切星界的至高境界。此超然圣境远离痛苦、迷妄与恐惧，为诸自证圣者所礼敬称颂。
The troubles of penance accepted by Lord Brahmā were certainly in the line of devotional service ( bhakti ). Otherwise there was no chance that Vaikuṇṭha or svalokam, the Lord’s personal abodes, would become visible to Brahmājī. The personal abodes of the Lord, known as Vaikuṇṭhas, are neither mythical nor material, as conceived by the impersonalists. But realization of the transcendental abodes of the Lord is possible only through devotional service, and thus the devotees enter into such abodes. There is undoubtedly trouble in executing penance. But the trouble accepted in executing bhakti-yoga is transcendental happiness from the very beginning, whereas the trouble of penance in other processes of self-realization ( jñāna-yoga, dhyāna-yoga, etc.), without any Vaikuṇṭha realization, ends in trouble only and nothing more. There is no profit in beating husks without grains. Similarly, there is no profit in executing troublesome penances other than bhakti-yoga for self-realization.
FAQs
This verse says the Lord’s own abode is supreme—beyond any higher destination—and is free from misery, illusion, and fear, praised by perfected souls who have directly seen it.
Because Brahmā had respectfully worshiped and offered prayers, the Lord reciprocated by granting him divine vision of the supreme realm, strengthening Brahmā’s realization and mission of creation under divine guidance.
It teaches that sincere reverence and devotional prayer invite divine guidance; by cultivating bhakti, one gradually becomes free from fear and confusion and moves toward the Lord’s spiritual shelter.