Pranam Mantra of Lord Brahma:
brahma kamanduludharah caturvaktas caturbhujah |
kadachit raktakamale hamsarudha kadacana ||
varnena rakta gaurangah pramsusuttunga anga unnatah|
kamandulu vamakare sruvo haste tu dakshine ||
dakshinadhas tatha mala vamadhasca tatha sruvah |
ajyasthali vamaparshve vedah sarvegratah stithah ||
savitri vama parshasthah dakshinastha saraswati |
sarve ca wrshayo hi agre kuryad evisca cintanam ||
“Brahma holds the kamandulu (water-pot used by yogis). He has four faces. Sometimes he sits on a red lotus, sometimes on a swan. His complexion is reddish-fair. He is tall and his limbs are well-defined. His upper two hands hold the Veda (scripture) and kamandulu. His lower two hands hold a sruva (sacrificial element like a large spoon) and japa mala (chanting beads). There is ajyasthali (vessel holding ghee) at his left and all the Vedas along with the rishis (sages) are present at his right. Savitri Devi and Saraswati Devi are on their left and right side respectively.
Identity of Lord Brahma:
He who is engaged in the execution of the entire creation is Shri Brahma. Brahma is Bhagavan’s first Jiva, created in this material universe. At the very beginning of this universe, Brahma was born from the lotus navel of Garbhadoka-shayi Vishnu (the particular form of Lord Vishnu who lies in the Garbha ocean). He was born without parents and is therefore called Svayambhu (he who takes birth himself), Aja (birthless), and Padmayoni (he who takes birth from a lotus). Brahma who sits on a lotus, has four heads. There are countless universes in this material creation and each universe has its respective Brahma. According to the Vedic scriptures, there are twenty-headed, fifty-headed, hundred-headed, thousand-headed, and even million-headed Brahmas. The various universes are of different sizes. As our universe is the smallest, our Brahma is only four-headed. He is the predominating deity of rajas (mode of passion) and a gunavatara (avatar of the mode of passion of Bhagavan). By the power Bhagavan (the Supreme Lord) invests in him, Brahma executes the creation. He is therefore considered a shaktyavesha avatara (empowered incarnation) of Bhagavan. He creates the material world after the manifestation of the Jivas and the main components of the material world are provided by Bhagavan. He is therefore called vidhata (creator) and srishti karta (he who performs creation).
Appearance of Lord Brahma:
The spotless purana (scripture) Srimad Bhagavatam describes the appearance of Brahma very beautifully. Lord Shri Krishna is the root of this material creation. His first purushavatara is karanadokashayi Mahā-Viṣṇu (a particular form of Vishnu who rests on the causal ocean). Innumerable universes are produced from the pores of Mahā-viṣṇu’s body. He enters every universe as Garbhodaka-śāyī Viṣṇu. He spreads perspiration from His body and fills half of the celestial universe or “egg.” This is called garbha (womb). He then lies down on that garbhodaka ocean. From His navel lake, a lotus grows and by the will of Bhagavan, this lotus flower illuminates everything and increases its size. This lotus reaches the top of the universe, and Brahma, the embodiment of Vedic knowledge, appears. He is therefore called Padma Yoni.
Introspection of Lord Brahma and His Penance:
In Shveta Varaha Kalpa, when Brahma appeared from the navel of Garbhodaka-śāyī Viṣṇu, he could not find anybody around except himself. He saw the all-pervading void. He neither understood the creation, nor the lotus nor even himself. Due to his ignorance, he started thinking, “Who am I?” “From where have I taken birth?” “Why have I fallen in such an adverse situation?” “How can I get rid of this predicament?” He then thought that there must be something under the water, from where this lotus has grown. Brahma entered into the stalk of the lotus. Despite entering inside the stalk and reaching very close to the navel of Mahavishnu, Brahma could not find the source of his lotus seat. He returned to the top of the lotus and thought of how to create the material universe, but could not succeed in his efforts. Suddenly he heard a sound; two syllables from the waves. He believed it must be a divine instruction. He heard “ta” immediately followed by “pa.” As soon as he heard these sounds, he tried to discover the person who had uttered them. Although he made multiple efforts, he failed. Lord Brahma then decided to perform “tapa” (mediation) as per the instruction. He controlled his mind and senses and started meditating with deep unalloyed devotion.
Brahma was able to see Sri Bhagavan:
The Supreme Personality of Godhead became very pleased by the austerities Brahma was performing with such devotion. The Supreme Lord manifested His eternal divine form in the heart of Brahma and made him see His eternal abode which is the highest planet beyond the material creation. This abode of Bhagavan is free from all material suffering, fear, and grief. It is the source of eternal bliss and nectar. Brahma saw that Sri Bhagavan who is the master of His devotees, the ultimate enjoyer of all yajnas, the owner of all universes, the beloved of Goddess Lakshmi, and all omnipotent, resides there. He is surrounded by His eternal associates and accepts the loving service offered by them. He is very eager to reciprocate with His devotees by showering His mercy. He possesses the most attractive features. He has a bright smile on His face and beautiful eyes like the newly arisen sun. He wears a golden crown on His head, earrings on his ears, and the Kaustubha jewel on His chest. He is four-handed and sits on the best of thrones. He is surrounded by His principal energies along with His secondary ones. He possesses all six opulences; all wealth, all strength, all influence, all wisdom, all beauty, and all renunciation.
Brahma experiences the opulence and Maya (illusory energy) of Bhagavan:
When Brahma was able to view the eternal form of Bhagavan, he was able to see creation. He discovered the navel lake of Lord Vishnu, the lotus, and the lotus-like bed where the Lord was lying. It was the coiled body of Sesha Naga. The ambiance was illuminated with the light emitted from the crest jewels of Sesha Naga. The darkness went away. He was able to see everything. Along with the transcendental opulence of Bhagavan, he saw the external energy, Maya, which was situated behind the transcendental manifestation and under Bhagavan’s full control. In this way, Brahma was convinced to execute the creation being influenced by raja guna (the material mode of passion).
Brahma’s prayer to Bhagavan:
Brahma offered his heartfelt prayers to Bhagavan. Nothing can exist being separated from non-dual Bhagavan. The diversity of the world is the parinama* of the external energy of Bhagavan. He is the source of all of His incarnations. Bhagavan is the most complete form. Brahman, who is described as ananda svarupa (embodiment of bliss) is His less complete part. The svayam rupa (original form) of Bhagavan is aloof from the creation. Karanadokashayi Mahā Viṣṇu casts His glance at prakrti (material nature) and impregnates it. Despite being the source of creation, He is the master of Maya. Those who consider the eternal blissful personal form of Bhagavan as mayamaya (a product of illusion), simply engage themselves in foolish arguments. Bhagavan never leaves the heart of the Suddha bhaktas who hear the pastimes of Bhagavan from the Sruti. Until they completely surrender to Bhagavan, jivas suffer from the effects of lust, attraction, and attachment to the material body and the desire for material wealth. Indulging in temporary matters is the cause of suffering. What to speak of mundane people, even the qualified munis (who live as renunciates) get trapped in samsara (suffering the cycle of birth and death) as soon as they become detached from the Lord. Bhagavan is easily attainable to His pure devotees because He showers His mercy upon them. To please Bhagavan is the ultimate aim of all virtuous actions. Actions which are performed to gratify one’s senses are destructive. Those who utter the name of Bhagavan immediately before death, become free from all sins and attain the absolute shelter of Bhagavan. Those who are careless and do not worship Bhagavan as prescribed by the Pancaratra method and remain engaged in mundane activities have their life spans reduced by Kala (time). Brahma who is situated in Satya loka, fears Kala and performs austerities for long periods to attain Bhagavan. When Brahma asked Garbhadoka-shayi Visnu to make him empowered, the Lord instructed Him to perform austerity and meditate on Him. The Lord also gave Brahma His advice for the upcoming creation. Brahma followed the instructions of the Lord and began creation.
Creation of the four Kumaras and others by Brahma:
Being instructed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; Lord Narayan, Brahma meditated on Him and purified his mind. He then started creating the universe. Initially, he created four sages: Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanandana, and Sanat Kumara. After creating them, he asked them to produce children. But they were fixed on the transcendental platform and devoted to Lord Vasudeva. They therefore did not show any interest in engaging in mundane creation.
Creation of the Prajapati from different organs of Brahma:
To produce the human race, Brahma created ten sons. Marici, Atri, Angira, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Bhrgu, Vashishtha, Daksha and Narada were born. Narada was born from his divine consciousness, which was the best among all parts of Brahma. Vashishtha was born from his breath, Daksha from his thumb, Bhrgu from his skin, Kratu from his hand, Pulastya from his ear, Angira from his mouth, Atri from his eyes, Marici from his mind, and Pulaha from his navel. From his chest where Lord Narayan resides, Dharma (all that is righteous) originated and Adharma (all that is unrighteous) from his back. Kama (desire) manifested from his heart, Krodha (anger) from the spot between his eyebrows, Lobha (greed) from his lower lip, Vach (speech) from his mouth, oceans from his genitals, and Papa (all sins) from his anus. In this way, everything in this material world manifested either from the body or the mind of Brahma.
Brahma’s lust for his daughter:
Brahma had a daughter named Vak or Saraswati, who originated from his body. Due to his lusty desires, Brahma became bewildered and approached her for conjugal relations. But she remained unmoved. Marici and the other sons of Brahma told him respectfully, “You are involving yourself in suffering. Being the most respected personality in this universe, how can you make a conjugal relationship with your daughter? Could you not control your urge? Though you are the most powerful person in this creation, this does not suit you. Because those who seek spiritual advancement, follow your footsteps. We bow down to the supreme Lord respectfully, as He protects Dharma for the upliftment of the fallen souls. When the father of all prajapatis, Brahma heard this from his sons, he became ashamed and gave up that body. His body was transformed into a thick deep fog of the dark surroundings.
Manifestation of Vedas from the mouth of Brahma:
While Brahma was contemplating how to create the universe, knowledge emitted from his four mouths. Along with this, all the rules and regulations of varnashrama were emitted as well. Omkara manifested from his heart.
Creation through Svayambhuva Manu & Shatarupa:
Two newly created beings were engaged in procreation. The first man, Svayambhuva Manu, and his wife Shatarupa. Since that time, creation has been on by the process of mating. They had five children; two sons named Priyabrata and Utthanapada and three daughters named Akuti, Devahuti, and Prasuti. Manu arranged the marriage of his elder daughter Akuti with a sage named Ruci, his second daughter Devahuti with a muni named Kardama, and his youngest daughter Prasuti with Prajapati Daksha. The entire world filled up with their children.
Providing Spiritual Knowledge to Narada Muni:
Narada was the dear-most among the sons of Brahma. Brahma was very pleased with Narada’s devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Devarshi Narada asked his father about the detailed description of the Lord. Sri Sukadeva Goswami said, “O king, what you are asking me now, Devarshi Narada had asked to Lord Brahma when he found him happy one day. Being pleased with his son Narada, Brahma taught him Srimad Bhagavatam, which consists of ten subjects: origin, creation, the allocation of planets, protection by the Lord, seeds of action, the reign of various Manu’s, spiritual knowledge, going back to Godhead, salvation and shelter. Brahma obtained this knowledge from Bhagavan through the four verses called the Catur Sloki of Srimad Bhagavatam.
