Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 3 · Chapter 9

Brahmā’s Prayers for Creative Energy

3.9.1

ब्रह्मोवाच ज्ञातोऽसि मेऽद्य सुचिरान्ननु देहभाजां न ज्ञायते भगवतो गतिरित्यवद्यम् । नान्यत्त्वदस्ति भगवन्नपि तन्न शुद्धं मायागुणव्यतिकराद्यदुरुर्विभासि ॥ १ ॥

brahmovaca jnato ’si me ’dya suciran nanu deha-bhajam na jnayate bhagavato gatir ity avadyam nanyat tvad asti bhagavann api tan na suddham maya-guna-vyatikarad yad urur vibhasi

Lord Brahma said: O my Lord, today, after many, many years of penance, I have come to know about You. Oh, how unfortunate the embodied living entities are that they are unable to know Your personality! My Lord, You are the only knowable object because there is nothing supreme beyond You. If there is anything supposedly superior to You, it is not the Absolute. You exist as the Supreme by exhibiting the creative energy of matter.

3.9.2

रूपं यदेतदवबोधरसोदयेन शश्वन्निवृत्ततमस: सदनुग्रहाय । आदौ गृहीतमवतारशतैकबीजं यन्नाभिपद्मभवनादहमाविरासम् ॥ २ ॥

rupam yad etad avabodha-rasodayena sasvan-nivrtta-tamasah sad-anugrahaya adau grhitam avatara-sataika-bijam yan-nabhi-padma-bhavanad aham avirasam

The form which I see is eternally freed from material contamination and has advented to show mercy to the devotees as a manifestation of internal potency. This incarnation is the origin of many other incarnations, and I am born from the lotus flower grown from Your navel home.

3.9.3

नात: परं परम यद्भवत: स्वरूप- मानन्दमात्रमविकल्पमविद्धवर्च: । पश्यामि विश्वसृजमेकमविश्वमात्मन् भूतेन्द्रियात्मकमदस्त उपाश्रितोऽस्मि ॥ ३ ॥

natah param parama yad bhavatah svarupam ananda-matram avikalpam aviddha-varcah pasyami visva-srjam ekam avisvam atman bhutendriyatmaka-madas ta upasrito ’smi

O my Lord, I do not see a form superior to Your present form of eternal bliss and knowledge. In Your impersonal Brahman effulgence in the spiritual sky, there is no occasional change and no deterioration of internal potency. I surrender unto You because whereas I am proud of my material body and senses, Your Lordship is the cause of the cosmic manifestation and yet You are untouched by matter.

3.9.4

तद्वा इदं भुवनमङ्गल मङ्गलाय ध्याने स्म नो दर्शितं त उपासकानाम् । तस्मै नमो भगवतेऽनुविधेम तुभ्यं योऽनाद‍ृतो नरकभाग्भिरसत्प्रसङ्गै: ॥ ४ ॥

tad va idam bhuvana-mangala mangalaya dhyane sma no darsitam ta upasakanam tasmai namo bhagavate ’nuvidhema tubhyam yo ’nadrto naraka-bhagbhir asat-prasangaih

This present form, or any transcendental form expanded by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna, is equally auspicious for all the universes. Since You have manifested this eternal personal form upon whom Your devotees meditate, I therefore offer my respectful obeisances unto You. Those who are destined to be dispatched to the path of hell neglect Your personal form because of speculating on material topics.

3.9.5

ये तु त्वदीयचरणाम्बुजकोशगन्धं जिघ्रन्ति कर्णविवरै: श्रुतिवातनीतम् । भक्त्या गृहीतचरण: परया च तेषां नापैषि नाथ हृदयाम्बुरुहात्स्वपुंसाम् ॥ ५ ॥

ye tu tvadiya-caranambuja-kosa-gandham jighranti karna-vivaraih sruti-vata-nitam bhaktya grhita-caranah paraya ca tesam napaisi natha hrdayamburuhat sva-pumsam

O my Lord, persons who smell the aroma of Your lotus feet, carried by the air of Vedic sound through the holes of the ears, accept Your devotional service. For them You are never separated from the lotus of their hearts.

3.9.6

तावद्भयं द्रविणदेहसुहृन्निमित्तं शोक: स्पृहा परिभवो विपुलश्च लोभ: । तावन्ममेत्यसदवग्रह आर्तिमूलं यावन्न तेऽङ्‌घ्रिमभयं प्रवृणीत लोक: ॥ ६ ॥

tavad bhayam dravina-deha-suhrn-nimittam sokah sprha paribhavo vipulas ca lobhah tavan mamety asad-avagraha arti-mulam yavan na te ’nghrim abhayam pravrnita lokah

O my Lord, the people of the world are embarrassed by all material anxieties—they are always afraid. They always try to protect wealth, body and friends, they are filled with lamentation and unlawful desires and paraphernalia, and they avariciously base their undertakings on the perishable conceptions of m and mine As long as they do not take shelter of Your safe lotus feet, they are full of such anxieties.

3.9.7

दैवेन ते हतधियो भवत: प्रसङ्गा- त्सर्वाशुभोपशमनाद्विमुखेन्द्रिया ये । कुर्वन्ति कामसुखलेशलवाय दीना लोभाभिभूतमनसोऽकुशलानि शश्वत् ॥ ७ ॥

daivena te hata-dhiyo bhavatah prasangat sarvasubhopasamanad vimukhendriya ye kurvanti kama-sukha-lesa-lavaya dina lobhabhibhuta-manaso ’kusalani sasvat

O my Lord, persons who are bereft of the all-auspicious performance of chanting and hearing about Your transcendental activities are certainly unfortunate and are also bereft of good sense. They engage in inauspicious activities, enjoying sense gratification for a very little while.

3.9.8

क्षुत्तृट्‌त्रिधातुभिरिमा मुहुरर्द्यमाना: शीतोष्णवातवरषैरितरेतराच्च । कामाग्निनाच्युत रुषा च सुदुर्भरेण सम्पश्यतो मन उरुक्रम सीदते मे ॥ ८ ॥

ksut-trt-tridhatubhir ima muhur ardyamanah sitosna-vata-varasair itaretarac ca kamagninacyuta-rusa ca sudurbharena sampasyato mana urukrama sidate me

O great actor, my Lord, all these poor creatures are constantly perplexed by hunger, thirst, severe cold, secretion and bile, attacked by coughing winter, blasting summer, rains and many other disturbing elements, and overwhelmed by strong sex urges and indefatigable anger. I take pity on them, and I am very much aggrieved for them.

3.9.9

यावत्पृथक्त्वमिदमात्मन इन्द्रियार्थ- मायाबलं भगवतो जन ईश पश्येत् । तावन्न संसृतिरसौ प्रतिसंक्रमेत व्यर्थापि दु:खनिवहं वहती क्रियार्था ॥ ९ ॥

yavat prthaktvam idam atmana indriyartha- maya-balam bhagavato jana isa pasyet tavan na samsrtir asau pratisankrameta vyarthapi duhkha-nivaham vahati kriyartha

O my Lord, the material miseries are without factual existence for the soul. Yet as long as the conditioned soul sees the body as meant for sense enjoyment, he cannot get out of the entanglement of material miseries, being influenced by Your external energy.

3.9.10

अह्न्यापृतार्तकरणा निशि नि:शयाना । नानामनोरथधिया क्षणभग्ननिद्रा: । दैवाहतार्थरचना ऋषयोऽपि देव युष्मत्प्रसङ्गविमुखा इह संसरन्ति ॥ १० ॥

ahny aprtarta-karana nisi nihsayana nana-manoratha-dhiya ksana-bhagna-nidrah daivahatartha-racana rsayo ’pi deva yusmat-prasanga-vimukha iha samsaranti

Such nondevotees engage their senses in very troublesome and extensive work, and they suffer insomnia at night because their intelligence constantly breaks their sleep with various mental speculations. They are frustrated in all their various plans by supernatural power. Even great sages, if they are against Your transcendental topics, must rotate in this material world.

3.9.11

त्वं भक्तियोगपरिभावितहृत्सरोज आस्से श्रुतेक्षितपथो ननु नाथ पुंसाम् । यद्यद्धिया त उरुगाय विभावयन्ति तत्तद्वपु: प्रणयसे सदनुग्रहाय ॥ ११ ॥

tvam bhakti-yoga-paribhavita-hrt-saroja asse sruteksita-patho nanu natha pumsam yad-yad-dhiya ta urugaya vibhavayanti tat-tad-vapuh pranayase sad-anugrahaya

O my Lord, Your devotees can see You through the ears by the process of bona fide hearing, and thus their hearts become cleansed, and You take Your seat there. You are so merciful to Your devotees that You manifest Yourself in the particular eternal form of transcendence in which they always think of You.

3.9.12

नातिप्रसीदति तथोपचितोपचारै- राराधित: सुरगणैर्हृदिबद्धकामै: । यत्सर्वभूतदययासदलभ्ययैको नानाजनेष्ववहित: सुहृदन्तरात्मा ॥ १२ ॥

natiprasidati tathopacitopacarair aradhitah sura-ganair hrdi baddha-kamaih yat sarva-bhuta-dayayasad-alabhyayaiko nana-janesv avahitah suhrd antar-atma

My Lord, You are not very much satisfied by the worship of the demigods, who arrange for Your worship very pompously, with various paraphernalia, but who are full of material hankerings. You are situated in everyone’s heart as the Supersoul just to show Your causeless mercy, and You are the eternal well-wisher, but You are unavailable for the nondevotee.

3.9.13

पुंसामतो विविधकर्मभिरध्वराद्यै- र्दानेन चोग्रतपसा परिचर्यया च । आराधनं भगवतस्तव सत्क्रियार्थो धर्मोऽर्पित: कर्हिचिद्‌म्रियते न यत्र ॥ १३ ॥

pumsam ato vividha-karmabhir adhvaradyair danena cogra-tapasa paricaryaya ca aradhanam bhagavatas tava sat-kriyartho dharmo ’rpitah karhicid mriyate na yatra

But the pious activities of the people, such as performance of Vedic rituals, charity, austere penances, and transcendental service, performed with a view to worship You and satisfy You by offering You the fruitive results, are also beneficial. Such acts of religion never go in vain.

3.9.14

शश्वत्स्वरूपमहसैव निपीतभेद- मोहाय बोधधिषणाय नम: परस्मै । विश्वोद्भवस्थितिलयेषु निमित्तलीला- रासाय ते नम इदं चकृमेश्वराय ॥ १४ ॥

sasvat svarupa-mahasaiva nipita-bheda- mohaya bodha-dhisanaya namah parasmai visvodbhava-sthiti-layesu nimitta-lila- rasaya te nama idam cakrmesvaraya

Let me offer my obeisances unto the Supreme Transcendence, who is eternally distinguished by His internal potency. His indistinguishable impersonal feature is realized by intelligence for self-realization. I offer my obeisances unto Him who by His pastimes enjoys the creation, maintenance and dissolution of the cosmic manifestation.

3.9.15

यस्यावतारगुणकर्मविडम्बनानि नामानि येऽसुविगमे विवशा गृणन्ति । तेऽनैकजन्मशमलं सहसैव हित्वा संयान्त्यपावृतामृतं तमजं प्रपद्ये ॥ १५ ॥

yasyavatara-guna-karma-vidambanani namani ye ’su-vigame vivasa grnanti te ’naika-janma-samalam sahasaiva hitva samyanty apavrtamrtam tam ajam prapadye

Let me take shelter of the lotus feet of Him whose incarnations, qualities and activities are mysterious imitations of worldly affairs. One who invokes His transcendental names, even unconsciously, at the time he quits this life, is certainly washed immediately of the sins of many, many births and attains Him without fail.

3.9.16

यो वा अहं च गिरिशश्च विभु: स्वयं च स्थित्युद्भवप्रलयहेतव आत्ममूलम् । भित्त्वा त्रिपाद्ववृध एक उरुप्ररोह- स्तस्मै नमो भगवते भुवनद्रुमाय ॥ १६ ॥

yo va aham ca girisas ca vibhuh svayam ca sthity-udbhava-pralaya-hetava atma-mulam bhittva tri-pad vavrdha eka uru-prarohas tasmai namo bhagavate bhuvana-drumaya

Your Lordship is the prime root of the tree of the planeary systems. This tree has grown by first penetrating the material nature in three trunks—as me, Siva and You, the Almighty—for creation, maintenance and dissolution, and we three have grown with many branches. Therefore I offer my obeisances unto You, the tree of the cosmic manifestation.

3.9.17

लोको विकर्मनिरत: कुशले प्रमत्त: कर्मण्ययं त्वदुदिते भवदर्चने स्वे । यस्तावदस्य बलवानिह जीविताशां सद्यश्छिनत्त्यनिमिषाय नमोऽस्तु तस्मै ॥ १७ ॥

loko vikarma-niratah kusale pramattah karmany ayam tvad-udite bhavad-arcane sve yas tavad asya balavan iha jivitasam sadyas chinatty animisaya namo ’stu tasmai

People in general all engage in foolish acts, not in the really beneficial activities enunciated directly by You for their guidance. As long as their tendency for foolish work remains powerful, all their plans in the struggle for existence will be cut to pieces. I therefore offer my obeisances unto Him who acts as eternal time.

3.9.18

यस्माद्‌बिभेम्यहमपि द्विपरार्धधिष्ण्य- मध्यासित: सकललोकनमस्कृतं यत् । तेपे तपो बहुसवोऽवरुरुत्समान- स्तस्मै नमो भगवतेऽधिमखाय तुभ्यम् ॥ १८ ॥

yasmad bibhemy aham api dviparardha-dhisnyam adhyasitah sakala-loka-namaskrtam yat tepe tapo bahu-savo ’varurutsamanas tasmai namo bhagavate ’dhimakhaya tubhyam

Your Lordship, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You who are indefatigable time and the enjoyer of all sacrifices. Although I am situated in an abode which will continue to exist for a time duration of two parardhas, although I am the leader of all other planes in the universe, and although I have undergone many, many years of penance for self-realization, still I offer my respects unto You.

3.9.19

तिर्यङ्‍मनुष्यविबुधादिषु जीवयोनि- ष्वात्मेच्छयात्मकृतसेतुपरीप्सया य: । रेमे निरस्तविषयोऽप्यवरुद्धदेह- स्तस्मै नमो भगवते पुरुषोत्तमाय ॥ १९ ॥

tiryan-manusya-vibudhadisu jiva-yonisv atmecchayatma-krta-setu-paripsaya yah reme nirasta-visayo ’py avaruddha-dehas tasmai namo bhagavate purusottamaya

O my Lord, by Your own will You appear in the various species of living entities, among animals lower than human beings as well as among the demigods, to perform Your transcendental pastimes. You are not affected by material contamination. You come just to fulfill the obligations of Your own principles of religion, and therefore, O Supreme Personality, I offer my obeisances unto You for manifesting such different forms.

3.9.20

योऽविद्ययानुपहतोऽपि दशार्धवृत्त्या निद्रामुवाह जठरीकृतलोकयात्र: । अन्तर्जलेऽहिकशिपुस्पर्शानुकूलां भीमोर्मिमालिनि जनस्य सुखं विवृण्वन् ॥ २० ॥

yo ’vidyayanupahato ’pi dasardha-vrttya nidram uvaha jathari-krta-loka-yatrah antar-jale ’hi-kasipu-sparsanukulam bhimormi-malini janasya sukham vivrnvan

My Lord, You accept the pleasure of sleeping in the water of devastation, where there are violent waves, and You enjoy pleasure on the bed of snakes, showing the happiness of Your sleep to intelligent persons. At that time, all the universal planes are stationed within Your abdomen.

3.9.21

यन्नाभिपद्मभवनादहमासमीड्य लोकत्रयोपकरणो यदनुग्रहेण । तस्मै नमस्त उदरस्थभवाय योग- निद्रावसानविकसन्नलिनेक्षणाय ॥ २१ ॥

yan-nabhi-padma-bhavanad aham asam idya loka-trayopakarano yad-anugrahena tasmai namas ta udara-stha-bhavaya yoga- nidravasana-vikasan-nalineksanaya

O object of my worship, I am born from the house of Your lotus navel for the purpose of creating the universe by Your mercy. All these planes of the universe were stationed within Your transcendental abdomen while You were enjoying sleep. Now, Your sleep having ended, Your eyes are open like blossoming lotuses in the morning.

3.9.22

सोऽयं समस्तजगतां सुहृदेक आत्मा सत्त्वेन यन्मृडयते भगवान् भगेन । तेनैव मे द‍ृशमनुस्पृशताद्यथाहं स्रक्ष्यामि पूर्ववदिदं प्रणतप्रियोऽसौ ॥ २२ ॥

so ’yam samasta-jagatam suhrd eka atma sattvena yan mrdayate bhagavan bhagena tenaiva me drsam anusprsatad yathaham sraksyami purvavad idam pranata-priyo ’sau

Let the Supreme Lord be merciful towards me. He is the one friend and soul of all living entities in the world, and He maintains all, for their ultimate happiness, by His six transcendental opulences. May He be merciful towards me so that I, as before, may be empowered with the introspection to create, for I am also one of the surrendered souls who are dear to the Lord.

3.9.23

एष प्रपन्नवरदो रमयात्मशक्त्या यद्यत्करिष्यति गृहीतगुणावतार: । तस्मिन् स्वविक्रममिदं सृजतोऽपि चेतो युञ्जीत कर्मशमलं च यथा विजह्याम् ॥ २३ ॥

esa prapanna-varado ramayatma-saktya yad yat karisyati grhita-gunavatarah tasmin sva-vikramam idam srjato ’pi ceto yunjita karma-samalam ca yatha vijahyam

The Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead, is always the benefactor of the surrendered souls. His activities are always enacted through His internal potency, Rama, or the goddess of fortune. I pray only to engage in His service in the creation of the material world, and I pray that I not be materially affected by my works, for thus I may be able to give up the false prestige of being the creator.

3.9.24

नाभिहृदादिह सतोऽम्भसि यस्य पुंसो विज्ञानशक्तिरहमासमनन्तशक्ते: । रूपं विचित्रमिदमस्य विवृण्वतो मे मा रीरिषीष्ट निगमस्य गिरां विसर्ग: ॥ २४ ॥

nabhi-hradad iha sato ’mbhasi yasya pumso vijnana-saktir aham asam ananta-sakteh rupam vicitram idam asya vivrnvato me ma ririsista nigamasya giram visargah

The Lord’s potencies are innumerable. As He lies down in the water of devastation, I am born as the total universal energy from the navel lake in which the lotus sprouts. I am now engaged in manifesting His diverse energies in the form of the cosmic manifestation. I therefore pray that in the course of my material activities I may not be deviated from the vibration of the Vedic hymns.

3.9.25

सोऽसावदभ्रकरुणो भगवान् विवृद्ध- प्रेमस्मितेन नयनाम्बुरुहं विजृम्भन् । उत्थाय विश्वविजयाय च नो विषादं माध्व्या गिरापनयतात्पुरुष: पुराण: ॥ २५ ॥

so ’sav adabhra-karuno bhagavan vivrddha- prema-smitena nayanamburuham vijrmbhan utthaya visva-vijayaya ca no visadam madhvya girapanayatat purusah puranah

The Lord, who is supreme and is the oldest of all, is unlimitedly merciful. I wish that He may smilingly bestow His benediction upon me by opening His lotus eyes. He can uplift the entire cosmic creation and remove our dejection by kindly speaking His directions.

3.9.26

मैत्रेय उवाच स्वसम्भवं निशाम्यैवं तपोविद्यासमाधिभि: । यावन्मनोवच: स्तुत्वा विरराम स खिन्नवत् ॥ २६ ॥

maitreya uvaca sva-sambhavam nisamyaivam tapo-vidya-samadhibhih yavan mano-vacah stutva virarama sa khinnavat

The sage Maitreya said: O Vidura, after observing the source of his appearance, namely the Personality of Godhead, Brahma prayed for His mercy as far as his mind and words would permit him. Thus having prayed, he became silent, as if tired from his activities of penance, knowledge and mental concentration.

3.9.27-28

अथाभिप्रेतमन्वीक्ष्य ब्रह्मणो मधुसूदन: । विषण्णचेतसं तेन कल्पव्यतिकराम्भसा ॥ २७ ॥ लोकसंस्थानविज्ञान आत्मन: परिखिद्यत: । तमाहागाधया वाचा कश्मलं शमयन्निव ॥ २८ ॥

athabhipretam anviksya brahmano madhusudanah visanna-cetasam tena kalpa-vyatikarambhasa loka-samsthana-vijnana atmanah parikhidyatah tam ahagadhaya vaca kasmalam samayann iva

The Lord saw that Brahma was very anxious about the planning and construction of the different planetary systems and was depressed upon seeing the devastating water. He could understand the intention of Brahma, and thus He spoke in deep, thoughtful words, removing all the illusion that had arisen.

3.9.29

श्रीभगवानुवाच मा वेदगर्भ गास्तन्द्रीं सर्ग उद्यममावह । तन्मयापादितं ह्यग्रे यन्मां प्रार्थयते भवान् ॥ २९ ॥

sri-bhagavan uvaca ma veda-garbha gas tandrim sarga udyamam avaha tan mayapaditam hy agre yan mam prarthayate bhavan

The Supreme Personality of Godhead then said: O Brahma, O depth of Vedic wisdom, be neither depressed nor anxious about the execution of creation. What you are begging from Me has already been granted before.

3.9.30

भूयस्त्वं तप आतिष्ठ विद्यां चैव मदाश्रयाम् । ताभ्यामन्तर्हृदि ब्रह्मन् लोकान्द्रक्ष्यस्यपावृतान् ॥ ३० ॥

bhuyas tvam tapa atistha vidyam caiva mad-asrayam tabhyam antar-hrdi brahman lokan draksyasy apavrtan

O Brahma, situate yourself in penance and meditation and follow the principles of knowledge to receive My favor. By these actions you will be able to understand everything from within your heart.

3.9.31

तत आत्मनि लोके च भक्तियुक्त: समाहित: । द्रष्टासि मां ततं ब्रह्यन्मयि लोकांस्त्वमात्मन: ॥ ३१ ॥

tata atmani loke ca bhakti-yuktah samahitah drastasi mam tatam brahman mayi lokams tvam atmanah

O Brahma, when you are absorbed in devotional service, in the course of your creative activities, you will see Me in you and throughout the universe, and you will see that you yourself, the universe and the living entities are all in Me.

3.9.32

यदा तु सर्वभूतेषु दारुष्वग्निमिव स्थितम् । प्रतिचक्षीत मां लोको जह्यात्तर्ह्येव कश्मलम् ॥ ३२ ॥

yada tu sarva-bhutesu darusv agnim iva sthitam praticaksita mam loko jahyat tarhy eva kasmalam

You will see Me in all living entities as well as all over the universe, just as fire is situated in wood. Only in that state of transcendental vision will you be able to be free from all kinds of illusion.

3.9.33

यदा रहितमात्मानं भूतेन्द्रियगुणाशयै: । स्वरूपेण मयोपेतं पश्यन् स्वाराज्यमृच्छति ॥ ३३ ॥

yada rahitam atmanam bhutendriya-gunasayaih svarupena mayopetam pasyan svarajyam rcchati

When you are free from the conception of gross and subtle bodies and when your senses are free from all influences of the modes of material nature, you will realize your pure form in My association. At that time you will be situated in pure consciousness.

3.9.34

नानाकर्मवितानेन प्रजा बह्वी: सिसृक्षत: । नात्मावसीदत्यस्मिंस्ते वर्षीयान्मदनुग्रह: ॥ ३४ ॥

nana-karma-vitanena praja bahvih sisrksatah natmavasidaty asmims te varsiyan mad-anugrahah

Since you have desired to increase the population innumerably and expand your varieties of service, you shall never be deprived in this matter because My causeless mercy upon you will always increase for all time.

3.9.35

ऋषिमाद्यं न बध्नाति पापीयांस्त्वां रजोगुण: । यन्मनो मयि निर्बद्धं प्रजा: संसृजतोऽपि ते ॥ ३५ ॥

rsim adyam na badhnati papiyams tvam rajo-gunah yan mano mayi nirbaddham prajah samsrjato ’pi te

You are the original rsi, and because your mind is always fixed on Me, even though you will be engaged in generating various progeny, the vicious mode of passion will never encroach upon you.

3.9.36

ज्ञातोऽहं भवता त्वद्य दुर्विज्ञेयोऽपि देहिनाम् । यन्मां त्वं मन्यसेऽयुक्तं भूतेन्द्रियगुणात्मभि: ॥ ३६ ॥

jnato ’ham bhavata tv adya durvijneyo ’pi dehinam yan mam tvam manyase ’yuktam bhutendriya-gunatmabhih

Although I am not easily knowable by the conditioned soul, you have known Me today because you know that My personality is not constituted of anything material, and specifically not of the five gross and three subtle elements.

3.9.37

तुभ्यं मद्विचिकित्सायामात्मा मे दर्शितोऽबहि: । नालेन सलिले मूलं पुष्करस्य विचिन्वत: ॥ ३७ ॥

tubhyam mad-vicikitsayam atma me darsito ’bahih nalena salile mulam puskarasya vicinvatah

When you were contemplating whether there was a source to the stem of the lotus of your birth and you even entered into that stem, you could not trace out anything. But at that time I manifested My form from within.

3.9.38

यच्चकर्थाङ्ग मतस्तोत्रं मत्कथाभ्युदयाङ्कितम् । यद्वा तपसि ते निष्ठा स एष मदनुग्रह: ॥ ३८ ॥

yac cakarthanga mat-stotram mat-kathabhyudayankitam yad va tapasi te nistha sa esa mad-anugrahah

O Brahma, the prayers that you have chanted praising the glories of My transcendental activities, the penances you have undertaken to understand Me, and your firm faith in Me—all these are to be considered My causeless mercy.

3.9.39

प्रीतोऽहमस्तु भद्रं ते लोकानां विजयेच्छया । यदस्तौषीर्गुणमयं निर्गुणं मानुवर्णयन् ॥ ३९ ॥

prito ’ham astu bhadram te lokanam vijayecchaya yad astausir gunamayam nirgunam manuvarnayan

I am very much pleased by your description of Me in terms of My transcendental qualities, which appear mundane to the mundaners. I grant you all benedictions in your desire to glorify all the planes by your activities.

3.9.40

य एतेन पुमान्नित्यं स्तुत्वा स्तोत्रेण मां भजेत् । तस्याशु सम्प्रसीदेयं सर्वकामवरेश्वर: ॥ ४० ॥

ya etena puman nityam stutva stotrena mam bhajet tasyasu samprasideyam sarva-kama-varesvarah

Any human being who prays like Brahma, and who thus worships Me, shall very soon be blessed with the fulfillment of all his desires, for I am the Lord of all benediction.

3.9.41

पूर्तेन तपसा यज्ञैर्दानैर्योगसमाधिना । राद्धं नि:श्रेयसं पुंसां मत्प्रीतिस्तत्त्वविन्मतम् ॥ ४१ ॥

purtena tapasa yajnair danair yoga-samadhina raddham nihsreyasam pumsam mat-pritis tattvavin-matam

It is the opinion of expert transcendentalists that the ultimate goal of performing all traditional good works, penances, sacrifices, charities, mystic activities, trances, etc., is to invoke My satisfaction.

3.9.42

अहमात्मात्मनां धात: प्रेष्ठ: सन् प्रेयसामपि । अतो मयि रतिं कुर्याद्देहादिर्यत्कृते प्रिय: ॥ ४२ ॥

aham atmatmanam dhatah presthah san preyasam api ato mayi ratim kuryad dehadir yat-krte priyah

I am the Supersoul of every individual. I am the supreme director and the dearest. People are wrongly attached to the gross and subtle bodies, but they should be attached to Me only.

3.9.43

सर्ववेदमयेनेदमात्मनात्मात्मयोनिना । प्रजा: सृज यथापूर्वं याश्च मय्यनुशेरते ॥ ४३ ॥

sarva-veda-mayenedam atmanatmatma-yonina prajah srja yatha-purvam yas ca mayy anuserate

By following My instructions you can now generate the living entities as before, by dint of your complete Vedic wisdom and the body you have directly received from Me, the supreme cause of everything.

3.9.44

मैत्रेय उवाच तस्मा एवं जगत्स्रष्ट्रे प्रधानपुरुषेश्वर: । व्यज्येदं स्वेन रूपेण कञ्जनाभस्तिरोदधे ॥ ४४ ॥

maitreya uvaca tasma evam jagat-srastre pradhana-purusesvarah vyajyedam svena rupena kanja-nabhas tirodadhe

The sage Maitreya said: After instructing Brahma, the creator of the universe, to expand, the primeval Lord, the Personality of Godhead in His personal form as Narayana, disappeared.