Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.20.44
Sthāna· The universe in orderThe Sun-God’s Names and Brahmā’s Position
“The sun-god is also known as Vairāja, the total material body for all living entities. Because he entered this dull egg of the universe at the time of creation, he is also called Mārtaṇḍa. He is also known as Hiraṇyagarbha because he received his material body from Hiraṇyagarbha [Lord Brahmā].”
What the purport teaches
- The sun-god is called Vairāja, the total material body for all living entities. He is called Mārtaṇḍa because he entered the dull egg of the universe at creation, and Hiraṇyagarbha because he received his material body from Lord Brahmā.
- Lord Brahmā’s post is meant for very highly elevated, spiritually advanced living beings. When such a being is unavailable, Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, very rarely expands Himself as Brahmā.
- The Brahmā spoken of here is an ordinary living being. In either case, Brahmā is known as Vairāja Brahmā and Hiraṇyagarbha Brahmā; therefore the sun-god is also accepted as Vairāja Brahmā.
Try this today
Write one sentence explaining who usually occupies Brahmā’s post and what happens when no qualified living being is available.
Ask yourself
How does the purport clarify the distinction between Brahmā’s post and the Supreme Personality of Godhead?
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.