Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 2
Brahmā’s Prayers to Lord Nārāyaṇa and the Lord’s Empowering Instructions for Creation
रूपं यदेतदवबोधरसोदयेन शश्वन्निवृत्ततमस: सदनुग्रहाय । आदौ गृहीतमवतारशतैकबीजं यन्नाभिपद्मभवनादहमाविरासम् ॥ २ ॥
rūpaṁ yad etad avabodha-rasodayena śaśvan-nivṛtta-tamasaḥ sad-anugrahāya ādau gṛhītam avatāra-śataika-bījaṁ yan-nābhi-padma-bhavanād aham āvirāsam
我所见的此形相，由觉悟之甘露而生，永远远离物质污染；为怜悯奉献者，以内在能量而显现。此一化身乃百千化身之种子；而我正是从你脐中生出的莲华宫中诞生。
The three deities Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara (Śiva), the executive heads of the three modes of material nature (passion, goodness and ignorance), are all generated from Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, who is described herein by Brahmā. From the Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, many Viṣṇu incarnations expand at different ages in the duration of the cosmic manifestation. They are expanded only for the transcendental happiness of the pure devotees. The incarnations of Viṣṇu, who appear at different ages and times, are never to be compared to the conditioned souls. The viṣṇu-tattvas are not to be compared to deities like Brahmā and Śiva, nor are they on the same level. Anyone who compares them is called a pāṣaṇḍī, or infidel. Tamasaḥ, mentioned herein, is the material nature, and the spiritual nature has a completely separate existence from tamaḥ. Therefore, spiritual nature is called avabodha-rasa, or avarodha-rasa. Avarodha means “that which completely nullifies.” In the Transcendence there is no chance of material contact by any means. Brahmā is the first living being, and therefore he mentions his birth from the lotus flower generated from the abdomen of Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu.
FAQs
This verse states that Brahmā manifests from the lotus that emerges from the navel of Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, highlighting Viṣṇu as the source of cosmic creation.
Because the Lord’s form awakens avabodha—realized spiritual understanding—by which ignorance (tamas) is permanently dispelled for those who take shelter.
Cultivate realized knowledge through devotion and study so that confusion and despair diminish, and align your actions with compassion and service to the saintly and the divine.