Srimad Bhagavata Skanda 2 - Narada’s Inquiry Into the Sovereignty of Creation
"The Lord Sriman Narayana is the very essence of divine virtues, self-sustained, radiant with light, overflowing with boundless knowledge and bliss. He is the ‘Creator of The Universe,’ which encompasses countless forms of Himself, both the living beings and the non-living things. He sustains, transforms, and governs it all — bestowing both ignorance and wisdom, binding beings to the cycle of birth and death, and offering liberation to those who seek moksha. Thus, He is the Param, the Supreme.
In the dawn of creation, He manifested the first being, the four-faced Brahma, and gifted him the knowledge required to bring the cosmos into being. Through His blessings, wisdom unfolds. Though He seeks no gain for Himself, He creates and upholds the cosmos for the welfare of all living beings, endowed with all the wisdom necessary for such a grand design. For He is neither a juggler, nor a deceiver, crafting illusions in this world. Untainted by any flaw, He is the Satyam — the absolute truth.
With reverence, let us meditate upon Lord Sriman Narayana, the embodiment of Satyam and Param."
"The Srimad Bhagavata encompasses the entirety of Dharma, safeguarding the soul from falling by purifying it, and guiding the individual soul towards the divine path leading to the Lord. This sacred path calls for unwavering devotion — a life dedicated to honoring, worshipping, admiring, and praising the Lord, free from jealousy, expectation, or deceit. As one treads upon this path, all obstacles dissolve, prosperity is bestowed, and the heart becomes imbued with virtue, turning one into a Sajjana, a virtuous soul. Above all, it fortifies bhakti, deepening one’s devotion.
Thus, the Srimad Bhagavata, composed by the Lord in the form of sage Veda Vyasa shines as a beacon of truth, revealing Himself as Supreme Soul eternally resides in the heart of every living being."
"Salutations to Lord Sriman Narayana, the eternal support of all, including the divine Goddess Lakshmi, and the very essence of the Srimad Bhagavata. Salutations to Lord Veda Vyasa, the revered composer of this sacred scripture. Salutations to Devi, the Goddess of Fortune, who perpetually serves the Lord and bestows the blessings of abundance upon all Bhagavatas, enriching them with the divine knowledge of Srimad Bhagavata — a wealth that encompasses Jnana, Bhakti, and Vairagya.
Salutations to the Gods Brahma and Vayu, the noblest of beings. Salutations to Sarasvati, the Goddess of Knowledge and Devotion, who inspires both wisdom and bhakti. Salutations to the divine Garuda, Sesha and Shiva, the greatest among the Vaishnavas.
Salutations to the Srimad Bhagavata, the sacred text that brings forth eternal victory and spiritual triumph."
The brightness of the Sun, Fire, Moon, Planets, Stars, Gems, Precious stones and Lightening put together is just like a firefly near the astonishing brilliance emanating from your lotus of Heart wherein the five forms of Lord Sri Rama, Sri Narasimha, Sri Veda Vyasa, Sri Krishna and Sriman Narayana are present in a significant way bestowing you the Brahmavarchas or the Sacred Knowledge.
Gentle & Holy Sage, Sri Raghavendra, I worship you by surrendering myself.
In the sacred forest of Naimishāraṇya, as Śaunaka and the assembled Rishis sat in rapt silence, Śrī Sūta continued his narration of the ancient dialogue between Śrī Śukacharya and King Parīkṣit. On the holy banks of the Gaṅgā, Śukacharya’s heart had overflowed into a luminous stream of praise—verses now revered as the Śuka Gītā—offered in response to Parīkṣit’s earnest inquiries. Each verse rang with truth, reverence, and boundless devotion—a garland of salutations to the Supreme Lord, Śrī Krishna.
Śukacharya revealed that this sacred wisdom was first imparted by Lord Śrīman Nārāyaṇa to God Brahmā, the creator. When Sage Nārada, with humility and longing, sought its essence, Brahmā passed the divine knowledge to him. And through that same unbroken chain of truth, Śukacharya shared it with Parīkṣit.
Now, turning once more to the sages of Naimishāraṇya, Śrī Sūta resumed the sacred thread—recounting the profound conversation between Nārada Rishi and God Brahmā, as he had heard it from Śukacharya on the sanctified banks of the Gaṅgā.
“O revered sages, listen now to the exalted dialogue between Narada Rishi and his divine father, God Brahma. With humility and folded hands, Narada addressed the Creator,” says Sri Sutacharya
नारद उवाच
देवदेव नमस्तेऽस्तु भूतभावन पूर्वज ।
तद्विजानीहि यज्ज्ञानमात्मतत्त्वनिदर्शनम् ॥ १॥
Addressing God Brahma, Narada says, “O foremost among the gods, the firstborn of all beings, origin of the elements! —I bow at your feet with deep reverence. You are the source of all that exists. I beg you, please grant me the wisdom that leads to self-realization and realization of the Supreme Lord.
यद्रूपं यदधिष्ठानं यतः सृष्टमिदं प्रभो ।
यत्संस्थं यत्परं यच्च तत्तत्त्वं वद तत्त्वतः ॥ २॥
What is the true nature of this universe? What are its expressions, its signs, its structure and foundation? Who is the Creator of this vast cosmos, and into whom does it ultimately dissolve? On what does it rest? What is its essential meaning and principle?
सर्वं ह्येतद्भवान् वेद भूतभव्यभवत्प्रभुः ।
करामलकवद्विश्वं विज्ञानावसितं तव ॥ ३॥
You alone know these truths. You have the wisdom for all that had been created in the past, all that is being created now, and all that will be created in the future. This lies within your grasp. O omniscient one, you perceive the entirety of creation as clearly as one holds a gooseberry (amla) in the palm of the hand.
यद्विज्ञानो यदाधारो यत्परस्त्वं यदात्मकः ।
एकः सृजसि भूतानि भूतैरेवात्ममायया ॥ ४॥
O father, what is the source of your knowledge? Under whose shelter do you abide? By whose command do you act as the creator? What is your true nature? It is astonishing—using Maya Shakti, or Prakriti, you manifest both living beings and non-living things, all by yourself. Yet you remain untouched, free from any flaw or transformation.
आत्मन् भावयसे तानि न पराभावयन् स्वयम् ।
आत्मशक्तिमवष्टभ्य ऊर्णनाभिरिवाक्लमः ॥ ५॥
Just as a spider releases thread from its own being effortlessly, spins its web, plays within it, and eventually withdraws it into itself—so too, it seems, you bring forth this vast creation by your own power, without difficulties, disturbance or change in yourself.
नाहं वेद परं ह्यस्मिन् नापरं समं विभो ।
नमरूपगुणैर्भाव्यं सदसत्किञ्चिदन्यतः ॥ ६॥
Whatever can be known by name, form, quality, or category—real or illusory, higher or lower, eternal or fleeting—has no origin other than you. For this, you are rightly regarded as the Lord of the Universe, possessing mastery overall.
स भवानचरद्घोरं यत्तपः सुसमाहितः ।
तेन खेदयसे नस्त्वं पराशङ्कां प्रयच्छसि ॥ ७॥
Yet, despite your divine power and greatness, one wonders—might there be one greater still? Your profound austerities, performed in perfect discipline, suggest the presence of a Supreme beyond even you.
एतन्मे पृच्छतः सर्वं सर्वज्ञ सकलेश्वर ।
विजानीहि यथैवेदमहं बुध्येऽनुशासितः ॥ ८॥
My dearest father, you are the knower of all truths and the ruler of all realms. I pray, kindly answer all my inquiries, so that I may understand with complete clarity and steady wisdom the essence of this creation and the Supreme behind it.”
ब्रह्मोवाच
सम्यक्कारुणिकस्येदं वत्स ते विचिकित्सितम् ।
यदहं चोदितः सौम्य भगवद्वीर्यदर्शने ॥ ९॥
God Brahma, with gentleness and grace, replied to his son:
“O dear Narada, your heart is generous, and your mind deeply compassionate—for the questions you ask are not only wise but filled with the power to bring auspiciousness and prosperity to all mankind. They stir in me the desire to glorify the Supreme Lord—Bhagavan, the source of all virtues and divine characteristics.
नानृतं तव तच्चापि यथा मां प्रब्रवीषि भोः ।
अविज्ञाय परं मत्त एतावत्त्वं यतो हि मे ॥ १०॥
What you have spoken of me is not untrue. Indeed, to one unaware of the Supreme Lord, it may appear that I alone am the creator of all. But the truth lies beyond such appearances. The power of creation does not rest in me independently—it belongs wholly to Lord Paramatma, the Supreme Father, who is above all, including me.
येन स्वरोचिषा विश्वं रोचितं रोचयाम्यहम् ।
यथार्कोऽग्निर्यथा सोमो यथर्क्षग्रहतारकाः ॥ ११॥
Just as the Sun, Moon, Fire, Stars, and Planets shine only because they reflect His brilliance, so too do I function only by His light. I am entirely dependent on His self-effulgent, pure, and divine form for all acts of creation. Without His will, not even a single blade of grass could move, let alone a universe be born.”
Continuing the response to Narada, God Brahma says,
तस्मै नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय धीमहि ।
यन्मायया दुर्जयया मां ब्रुवन्ति जगद्गुरुम् ॥ १२॥
विलज्जमानया यस्य स्थातुमीक्षापथेऽमुया ।
विमोहिता विकत्थन्ते ममाहमिति दुर्धियः ॥ १३॥
द्रव्यं कर्म च कालश्च स्वभावो जीव एव च ।
वासुदेवात्परो ब्रह्मन् नब्रह्मन् चान्योऽर्थोऽस्ति तत्त्वतः ॥ १४॥
In reality, O Narada, even Goddess Lakshmi, the conscious, eternal consort of the Lord, who embodies imperishable Prakriti, steps aside in awe before the might of His illusory energy—Maya—which, though subordinate to Him, holds sway over all created realms. So powerful is this veil, that it blinds even the wise when they forget the Supreme. Yet, the deluded—bound by ignorance—proclaim with pride, “This is mine” and “I am the doer.”
But in truth, the five inert elements of Prakṛti—earth, water, fire, air, and ether; the actions of all beings, moved by the three Guṇas—Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas; the dimensions of space and time; the nature and character of all living and non-living entities—all exist by the will and grace of the Supreme Lord Vāsudeva.
Though distinct from Him, they are sustained by Him, governed by Him, and utterly dependent upon Him. He alone is the Independent Reality—eternally beyond, yet intimately present as the Lord of all."
This essence is poetically echoed in Purandara Dāsa’s sublime composition “Ee pariya śobagāva dēvarali nā kāṇe,” an exquisite meditation on the unparalleled beauty and supremacy of Gopāla (Krishna). Through its verses, the saint compares His divine qualities with those of other gods and cosmic powers, concluding that none can equal the fullness of His glory.
To immerse in this timeless bhakti, let us listen to Vidyabhushanji’s soulful rendering of Eepariya Sobagu with Ugabhoga, a jewel from the heart of Purandara Dāsa’s devotion.
Ee pariya sobagAva dEvarali naa kANeFor Lyrics and translation see below:
ukkulali gandu padedavarunte,
ungutadalli hennu padedavarunte,
mikkada devarige e sobagunte
more hokke purandar vittala
Has anyone ever given birth to a boy (Brahma) from the navel?
Or a girl (Ganga) from the toe?
Do any of the other gods possess such beauty?
I surrender to Purandara Viṭṭhala.
Ee pariya sobagAva dEvarali naa kANe |
gOpijanapriya gOpAlagallade || PA ||
Such beauty, such radiance—I see in no other deity.
None match the charm of Gopāla, the beloved of the Gopīs.
doreyatanadali nODe dharanidEvige ramaNa |
siriyatanadali nODe sreekAntanu ||
hiriyatanadali nODe sarasijodbhavanayya |
guruvutanadali nODe jagadaadiguruvu || 1 ||
In Lordship, He is the consort of Mother Earth.
In prosperity, He is Śrīkānta, beloved of Lakṣmī.
In seniority, He is the source of Brahmā, lotus born.
In wisdom, He is the primordial Guru of the universe.
pAvanatvadi nODe amaragangA janaka |
dEvatvadali nODe divijaroDeya ||
lAvaNyadali nODe lOkamOhakanayya |
aava dhairyadi nODe asurAntaka || 2 ||
In purity, He is father of the sacred Gaṅgā.
In divinity, the Lord of all gods.
In beauty, the enchanter of the worlds.
In valor, the destroyer of demons.
Gaganadali sancharipa garuDa dEvane turaga |
Jagateedhara SeSha pariyanka Shayana ||
nigamagOchara Purandara VithalagalladE |
migilAda daivagaligee bhagya unte? || 3 ||
He sustains the entire cosmos.
He is beyond the grasp of the Vedas—Other than Purandara Viṭṭhala,
Which other gods could possibly possess such beauty?
॥ Hari Om ॥
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