Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.1.16
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesAsk About the Purpose of Divine Appearances
“After hearing this, Vidura inquired from Maitreya: My dear master, how is it that the three deities Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva, who are the creator, maintainer and destroyer of the whole creation, became the offspring of the wife of Atri Muni?”
What the purport teaches
- Vidura asked Maitreya how Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva became offspring of Atri Muni’s wife.
- These three are responsible for the creation, maintenance and destruction of the whole creation.
- Vidura’s inquiry was fitting because he understood that their appearance through Anasūyā must have had a great purpose.
Try this today
Write down one sincere question you have about this verse before continuing your reading.
Ask yourself
What can you learn from Vidura’s respectful desire to understand the purpose behind these appearances?
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.