Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 18
Brahmā’s Prayers to Lord Nārāyaṇa and the Lord’s Empowering Instructions for Creation
यस्माद्बिभेम्यहमपि द्विपरार्धधिष्ण्य- मध्यासित: सकललोकनमस्कृतं यत् । तेपे तपो बहुसवोऽवरुरुत्समान- स्तस्मै नमो भगवतेऽधिमखाय तुभ्यम् ॥ १८ ॥
yasmād bibhemy aham api dviparārdha-dhiṣṇyam adhyāsitaḥ sakala-loka-namaskṛtaṁ yat tepe tapo bahu-savo ’varurutsamānas tasmai namo bhagavate ’dhimakhāya tubhyam
主啊，我向您致以恭敬顶礼：您是不知疲倦的时间，也是诸祭祀的享受者。纵然我居于可延续两帕拉尔达的住处，纵然我为宇宙诸星之首、为众界所礼敬，纵然我为自证而苦修多年，我仍俯首敬拜您。
Brahmā is the greatest personality in the universe because he has the longest duration of life. He is the most respectable personality because of his penance, influence, prestige, etc., and still he has to offer his respectful obeisances unto the Lord. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all others, who are far, far below the standard of Brahmā, to do as he did and offer respects as a matter of duty.
FAQs
This verse shows Brahmā admitting that despite his cosmic position and universal reverence, he still fears the Supreme Lord’s majesty—highlighting that true greatness is humble devotion before Bhagavān.
Brahmā addresses the Lord as Adhimakha because all yajña ultimately belongs to and is directed by the Supreme; the Lord is the inner enjoyer and ruler of sacrifice, beyond the demigods and cosmic administrators.
The verse teaches disciplined restraint—reducing distractions and ego—so one can focus the mind on devotion, study, prayer, and service, offering one’s daily work as a form of yajña to the Lord.