Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.15.6
Visarga· Brahmā's creationKing Gaya’s Transcendental Position
“In the womb of his wife, Ṛṣikulyā, King Bhūmā begot a son named Udgītha. From Udgītha’s wife, Devakulyā, a son named Prastāva was born, and Prastāva begot a son named Vibhu through his wife, Niyutsā. In the womb of his wife, Ratī, Vibhu begot a son named Pṛthuṣeṇa. Pṛthuṣeṇa begot a son named Nakta in the womb of his wife, named Ākūti. Nakta’s wife was Druti, and from her womb the great King Gaya was born. Gaya was very famous and pious; he was the best of saintly kings. Lord Viṣṇu and His expansions, who are meant to protect the universe, are always situated in the transcendental mode of goodness, known as viśuddha-sattva. Being the direct expansion of Lord Viṣṇu, King Gaya was also situated in the viśuddha-sattva. Because of this, Mahārāja Gaya was fully equipped with transcendental knowledge. Therefore he was called Mahāpuruṣa.”
What the purport teaches
- The family line from Bhūmā continued through Udgītha, Prastāva, Vibhu, Pṛthuṣeṇa and Nakta. Gaya was born to Nakta and Druti and was the best of saintly kings.
- As a direct expansion of Lord Viṣṇu, Gaya was situated in viśuddha-sattva, transcendental goodness. He was fully equipped with transcendental knowledge and was called Mahāpuruṣa.
- The purport distinguishes viṣṇu-tattva, those who come directly from Lord Viṣṇu, from jīva-tattva, the living entities. Mahāpuruṣa is also a name for Kṛṣṇa.
Try this today
Write the term viśuddha-sattva and its meaning, “transcendental goodness,” in your study notes.
Ask yourself
What qualities distinguish Gaya’s position from ordinary worldly greatness?
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.