Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.1.26-27
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesHumbly Inquire About the Supreme Lord
“But since his heart was already attracted by the deities, somehow or other he gathered his senses, and with folded hands and sweet words he began to offer prayers to the predominating deities of the universe. The great sage Atri said: O Lord Brahmā, Lord Viṣṇu and Lord Śiva, you have divided yourself into three bodies by accepting the three modes of material nature, as you do in every millennium for the creation, maintenance and dissolution of the cosmic manifestation. I offer my respectful obeisances unto all of you and beg to inquire whom of you three I have called by my prayer.”
What the purport teaches
- Atri Ṛṣi gathered his senses and offered prayers with folded hands and sweet words. He had called for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Lord of the universe.
- The Lord must exist before creation and therefore be transcendental to the material modes. Atri was certain that the Lord could not be a creature created by māyā.
- Viṣṇu takes charge of goodness, Brahmā of passion, and Śiva of ignorance. Unsure about the Supreme Lord’s constitutional position, Atri respectfully asked whom he had called.
Try this today
Write down one sincere question you have about the Supreme Lord’s position.
Ask yourself
Can I acknowledge what I do not understand while inquiring respectfully about the Supreme Lord?
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.