Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.5.39
Āśraya· The supreme shelterGreat Powers Originate in the Supreme Lord
“Mahendra, the King of Heaven, was generated from the prowess of the Lord, the demigods were generated from the mercy of the Lord, Lord Śiva was generated from the anger of the Lord, and Lord Brahmā from His sober intelligence. The Vedic mantras were generated from the bodily holes of the Lord, and the great saints and prajāpatis were generated from His genitals. May that supremely powerful Lord be pleased with us.”
What the purport teaches
- Mahendra comes from the Lord's prowess, and the demigods come from His mercy.
- Lord Śiva comes from the Lord's anger, and Lord Brahmā comes from His sober intelligence.
- The Vedic mantras come from the Lord's bodily openings, while the great saints and prajāpatis come from His genitals. The prayer seeks the pleasure of that supremely powerful Lord.
Try this today
Recall one origin described in this verse, then offer a brief prayer that the Supreme Lord be pleased with you.
Ask yourself
How does seeing these great personalities as dependent on the Lord shape my reverence for Him?
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.