Brahma's Example of Humility

2012-12-09
Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.13 - Brahma's Example of Humility (download mp3) , (download flv) and (download mp4)
by Vishwarup Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.net




SB 10.14.13
jagat-trayantodadhi-samplavode
 narayanasyodara-nabhi-nalat
vinirgato ’jas tv iti van na vai mrsa
 kintv isvara tvan na vinirgato ’smi

Translation:
My dear Lord, it is said that when the three planetary systems are merged into the water at the time of dissolution, Your plenary portion, Narayana, lies down on the water, gradually a lotus flower grows from His navel, and Brahma takes birth upon that lotus flower. Certainly, these words are not false. Thus am I not born from You?

Purport:
Although every living being is a child of God, Lord Brahma here makes a special claim because he takes birth on a lotus flower that emanates from the navel of Narayana, the Personality of Godhead. Ultimately, all living beings are equally expansions of the transcendental body of the Supreme Lord. But Brahma has an intimate relationship with the Lord because of the activities of universal creation, and so he uses the prefix vi in the word vinirgata to beg the Lord’s special mercy. Lord Brahma is called aja because he is not born from any mother but rather emanates directly from the body of the Lord. As Srila Prabhupada states in Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead: “It is naturally concluded that the mother of Brahma is Narayana.” On these grounds, Lord Brahma is requesting special forgiveness for his offenses.