Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.8.15
Sarga· CreationBrahmā Arises Through Viṣṇu’s Presence
“Into that universal lotus flower Lord Viṣṇu personally entered as the Supersoul, and when it was thus impregnated with all the modes of material nature, the personality of Vedic wisdom, whom we call the self-born, was generated.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Viṣṇu personally entered the universal lotus as the Supersoul. This lotus is the universal virāṭ form, the Lord’s gigantic form in the material world.
- The universal form merges into Viṣṇu’s abdomen at dissolution and becomes manifest at creation. Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu enters each universe.
- Brahmā, the personality of Vedic wisdom and controller of the universe, was generated from this lotus. Having no material father, he is called self-born, or svayambhū.
Try this today
Write a brief definition of svayambhū, including why this name applies to Brahmā.
Ask yourself
How does Brahmā’s origin show his dependence on Viṣṇu?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.