Srimad Bhagavatham : 6.4.48.

Srimad Bhagavatham :

Skandham-6.

Chapter-4.  ( The Hamsa-guhya  Prayers )

Slokam-48. { I am the reservoir of unlimited potency, and therefore I am known as unlimited or all-pervading. From My material energy the cosmic manifestation appeared within Me, and in this universal manifestation appeared the chief being, Lord Brahmā, who is your source and is not born of a material mother. }


mayy  anantagunenante  gunato  gunavigrahah,


yadasit  tata  evadyah  svayambhuh  samabhud  ajah.


mayi  =  in Me;

ananta  gune  =  possessing unlimited potency;

anante  =  unlimited;

gunatah  =  from My potency known as māyā;

guna  vigrahah  =  the universe, which is a result of the modes of nature;

yada  =  when;

asit  =  it came into existence;

tatah  =  therein;

eva  =  indeed;

adyah  =  the first living being;

svayambhuh  =  Lord Brahma;

samabhut  =  was born;

ajah  =  although not from a material mother.



This is a description of the history of the universal creation.

The first cause is the Lord Himself, the Supreme Person. From Him, Brahma is created, and Brahma takes charge of the affairs of the universe.

The universal affairs of the material creation depend upon the material energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is therefore the cause of the material creation.

The entire cosmic manifestation is described herein as guna-vigrahah, the form of the Lord’s qualities.

From the cosmic universal form, the first creation is Lord Brahma, who is the cause of all living entities.



In this regard, Sri Madhvacharya describes the unlimited attributes of the Lord :

The Lord has innumerable potencies, all of which are unlimited.

Therefore the Lord Himself and all His qualities, forms, pastimes and paraphernalia are also unlimited.

Because Lord Vishnu has unlimited attributes, He is known as Ananta.

To be continued  ....