Srimad Bhagavata Skanda 2 – When Bhagavān Is Pleased by Tapas
"The Bhagvan 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 Bhagvan 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 Bhagvan. This sacred path calls for unwavering devotion — a life dedicated to honoring, worshipping, admiring, and praising the Bhagvan, 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 Bhagvan 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 Bhagvan Sriman Narayana, the eternal support of all, including the divine Goddess Lakshmi, and the very essence of the Srimad Bhagavata. Salutations to Bhagvan Veda Vyasa, the revered composer of this sacred scripture. Salutations to Devi, the Goddess of Fortune, who perpetually serves the Bhagvan 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 Bhagvan 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.
Thus, the Srimad Bhagavata opens by proclaiming the eternal truth in its very first verse: janmady asya yatah — a declaration invoked as the auspicious Mangalacharana. It affirms that the Supreme Reality alone is the source of creation, preservation, and dissolution, sovereign (svarat), omniscient, and independent of all else. From Him arose the first being, the four‑faced Brahma, the adikavi. Yet even Brahma, destined as the architect of the cosmos, was born into darkness and bewilderment, compelled to undertake deep tapas before beholding Bhagavan and receiving true knowledge.
Even Brahma, the creator, walked the path of humility. How much more must we, finite beings, approach the Divine without entitlement. The Bhagavata teaches not argument, but surrender—how to ask, from whom to ask, and with what heart. Thus it prepares us for the Chatushloki, where truth is distilled for the surrendered soul, not the demanding intellect.
श्रीभगवानुवाच
त्वयाहं तोषितः सम्यग्वेदगर्भ सिसृक्षया ।
चिरं भृतेन तपसा दुस्तोषः कूटयोगिनाम् ॥ १९॥
Sri Bhagavan spoke: “O Brahma, Vedagarbha — born of the Vedas — I am truly pleased with you. Your heart shines with sacred wisdom, and your long, steadfast penance has been undertaken with the noble intent of creation. Such sincere tapas is rare indeed, for I am not easily pleased by those who engage in the deception of false mysticism. But your devotion, grounded in truth, has won My favor.”
वरं वरय भद्रं ते वरेशं माभिवाञ्छितम् ।
ब्रह्मञ्छ्रेयःपरिश्रामः पुंसो मद्दर्शनावधिः ॥ २०॥
“I bless you with auspiciousness, O Brahma,” said Bhagavan. “Ask of Me — for I am Varesha, the bestower of all boons — whatever your heart desires. Yet know this: the supreme benediction, the true fruit of all penance, is to behold Me directly. Once I am realized, no further striving is needed, for every effort, every pursuit of auspiciousness and prosperity, finds its fulfillment in the vision of Me."
मनीषितानुभावोऽयं मम लोकावलोकनम् ।
यदुपश्रुत्य रहसि चकर्थ परमं तपः ॥ २१॥
“Bhagavan said: “Even without beholding Me directly, and solely upon hearing My secret command, you undertook the supreme penance. Therefore, O Brahma, I now grant you vision of My divine realms — the reward for your highest discernment, expressed through humble devotion and faithful execution of My will.”
प्रत्यादिष्टं मया तत्र त्वयि कर्मविमोहिते ।
तपो मे हृदयं साक्षादात्माहं तपसोऽनघ ॥ २२॥
Bhagavan declared: “O Brahma, when you were bewildered in your duty, you twice heard from the cosmic waters the syllables resounding from all directions — one the sixteenth, the other the twenty‑first among the sparsha‑varnas, the consonants formed by touch. Know this: it was I who instructed you to undertake penance. O sinless one, such tapas dwell directly in My heart, for I Myself am the very soul of penance. Indeed, tapas and I are one.”
सृजामि तपसैवेदं ग्रसामि तपसा पुनः ।
बिभर्मि तपसा विश्वं वीर्यं मे दुश्चरं तपः ॥ २३॥
"O Brahma, by the potency of such penance, I brought forth this cosmos. By that same power, I sustain it, and by that same power, I withdraw it. Therefore, know this: the force of penance is unsurpassable—none can transcend its might," declared Bhagavan.
ब्रह्मोवाच
भगवन् सर्वभूतानामध्यक्षोऽवस्थितोभगवन् गुहाम् ।
वेद ह्यप्रतिरुद्धेन प्रज्ञानेन चिकीर्षितम् ॥ २४॥
God Brahma replied: "O Supreme Bhagavan, You dwell within every living being, witnessing their innermost conscience and guiding it. Thus, Your knowledge of me is unbounded—You are fully aware of all my endeavors through Your supreme intelligence, unhindered and all‑pervading."
तथापि नाथमानस्य नाथ नाथय नाथितम् ।
परावरे यथा रूपे जानीयां ते त्वरूपिणः ॥ २५॥
God Brahma humbly addressed Bhagavan: "O Supreme Bhagvan, though You are nirguna—free from all material qualities and beyond all form—You manifest Yourself as saguna, adorned with divine attributes and form, to bless the world. Kindly enlighten me: how is it that You, who are formless and transcendental, assume a form that engages with creation, yet remain untouched by it? How does Your eternal nature reconcile both transcendence and immanence?"
यथाऽऽत्ममायायोगेन नानाशक्त्युपबृंहितम् ।
विलुम्पन् विसृजन् गृह्णन् बिभ्रदात्मानमात्मना ॥ २६॥
क्रीडस्यमोघसङ्कल्प ऊर्णनाभिर्यथोर्णुते ।
तथा तद्विषयां धेहि मनीषां मयि माधव ॥ २७॥
Brahma said: “O Bhagavan! You are the sovereign Lord of Mayadevi, who governs inert Prakriti and its three generative powers — sattva, rajas, and tamas. You are Satya‑sankalpa, ever true in resolve and purpose.
Just as a spider effortlessly spins its web, dwells within it, and withdraws it at will, so too do You, through Your Mayashakti, manifest this vast cosmos — composed of matter, energies, and living beings. You sustain it, dissolve it, and recreate it, all as part of Your divine play (lila), assuming countless forms.
O Supreme One, though You remain ever untouched by Prakriti, You orchestrate its dance with effortless grace. I pray to You — grant me the divine insight to comprehend this wondrous and unfathomable act of Yours, which astonishes even the greatest of sages.”
भगवच्छिक्षितमहं करवाणि ह्यतन्द्रितः ।
नेहमानः प्रजासर्गं बध्येयं यदनुग्रहात् ॥ २८॥
Brahma pleaded: “O Bhagavan, the Supreme of all creation, grant me the sacred awareness that all my actions, all manifestations of creation, arise solely by Your command and grace. Bless me, O Master of Maya, that I may never fall into the illusion of doership, nor be bound by the consequences of karma. Let me remain ever surrendered, knowing that You alone are the true agent behind all movement, all purpose, and all fulfillments. May my heart be anchored in Your sovereignty, and may my life be an offering to Your divine will.”
- Illusion of doership: Brahma acknowledges that even as the cosmic creator, he is not the independent agent; the Shree tattva is superior to him. Hence, all power flows from Bhagavan to overcome Maya.
- Freedom from karma: By surrendering, Brahma seeks protection from karmic entanglement, affirming that only Bhagavan remains untouched.
- Distinction is preserved: Brahma is real, his actions are real, but they are dependent and subordinate to the Bhagvan’s will.
- Sovereignty: The verse highlights Bhagavan’s sarvottamatva (supremacy) and Brahma’s sheshatva (servitude).
As I carry out this sacred duty, may my heart remain steady and free from agitation. Above all, I pray: let this responsibility not swell into pride or the illusion of sovereignty. May I never be deluded into thinking myself supreme, but remain ever mindful that I am only an instrument of Your will, guided solely by Your grace.”
सरहस्यं तदङ्गं च गृहाण गदितं मया ॥ ३०॥
यावानहं यथाभावो यद्रूपगुणकर्मकः ।
तथैव तत्त्वविज्ञानमस्तु ते मदनुग्रहात् ॥ ३१॥
Bhagavan said: "O Viranchi, divine architect of creation! The knowledge I now reveal is supremely confidential—a sacred science, illumined by realization and devotion. It is subtle, profound, and deeply esoteric. Receive it with reverence, as I speak it unto you. Know Me in truth—My eternal nature, My boundless essence, My transcendental form, My divine attributes and actions. Let this realization awaken within you, by My causeless mercy alone."
As the vision of Vaikuntha gently immersed him, the heart of Brahma blossomed in fullness—bathed in a light where time dissolves, ego’s craving for entitlement finds no refuge, and every breath is suffused with devotion. Brahma, the first‑born of creation, stood transformed by divine Darshana—his doubts dissolved, his purpose clarified, his being aligned with the will of the Supreme. From the sacred flowering of Brahma’s heart, Bhagavan now prepared to speak. Yet His words were not merely instruction, but the answer to Brahma’s plea: how to remain free from pride, illusion of doership, and karmic entanglement while carrying out creation.
Thus, were revealed the Chatushloki Bhagavata—the Four Seed Verses of the Srimad Bhagavata—spoken by Bhagavan Narayaṇa to Brahma, the divine architect of creation. These sublime utterances distill the very essence of the Bhagavata Puraṇa: unveiling the Supreme Bhagavan’s eternal nature, the mystery of creation, the veiling power of Maya, and the luminous path of liberation through devotion. In these four verses, the vast ocean of the Bhagavata is held in a single drop—pure, potent, and life‑giving.
Just as Brahma once received this knowledge through humility, tapas, and surrender, so too are we invited to listen—not with entitlement, but with reverence. For the Bhagavata does not yield itself to mere inquiry; it reveals itself to devotion. As Bhagavan’s voice now descends into sacred speech, may our hearts be made ready— steadied by faith, softened by devotion, and illuminated by vision that what is heard in devotion today becomes the soul’s eternal truth hereafter.
Comments
Post a Comment