90. Bhagavatha- Brahma Speaks of Tattva and Seeks Pardon

 90. Srimad Bhagavata - Brahma Speaks of Tattva and Seeks Pardon

Brahma repeatedly prostrated before the Lord and extolled Him at length. 

He said, “Though I recite Vedas continuously, I am unable to comprehend your form. You can show up in any form and as desired by your devotees. 

Many noble souls strived in the past to reach you using a yogic path. They finally realized that devotion alone would enable them to reach you.  

One who constantly listens to your stories, talks about you, thinks about you, and dedicates all their actions to you will surely reach you. You are nirguna roopa. No gunas (rajas, sattiv, and tamas) can influence you. 

Some prefer your Sagunarupa (that which has a form). You have innumerable forms and hence it is difficult to choose. The best way is to select one form, hold, and surrender unconditionally until they reach you.

Devotion and Spiritual Knowledge (Atma Tattva Gnana)

Devotion brings worldly prosperity and final blessings. Knowledge without devotion will only lead to sorrow or pain. It can be equivalent to large sized paddy without a good rice within.

Ignorance (Brahmaa): Seeing things in a different way. Suppose you see a rope in the dark and assume it as a snake. (i.e., not seeing rope as a rope)

Missing Information: Flashing light on it and studying the features of a rope brings in change in thinking (knowledge). The benefit is safety. The basic assumption is that rope is lifeless and cannot move on its own. Only then can the difference be obtained. Seeing a rope as rope is knowledge.

Brahma speaks about Samsara Brahmaa (illusion)

The misperception that worldly life is real is an illusion caused by ignorance (seeing things in a different way). This ignorance is destroyed by atma tattva gnana (spiritual knowledge). 

Atma Tattva

Atma Tattva should be pure and alone (unmixed). Just like adding one more variable (movements) in the above example will not help make differentiation. We need to take features of the rope alone and nothing else. 

We do not need a lamp or torch to see the sun. Just like the Sun, tattva is to itself. Tattva alone cannot destroy ignorance. The sunlight and drywood have no enmity. Sunlight cannot burn drywood on its own. When a lens (convex) is placed between sun rays and the dry wood, wood catches fire. 

We need tattva gnana (a change in thinking) because it helps get rid of ignorance that worldly life is real.

Having said that, Brahma sought pardon from Srikrishna. He said, “You are Sriman Narayana, who has come in this form for the welfare of humanity. Who else can play this Maya? My Maya is relatively very small or minute as compared to yours. 

Since I have come out of your nabhi (stomach), I am your child. Please forgive this naughty child who misbehaved with you. He prostrated before Srikrishna again and sought permission to leave for his abode. 

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana