| Canto 2: The Cosmic Manifestation | Chapter 5: The Cause of All Causes |
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 2.5.4
bhutair evatma-mayaya
SYNONYMS
yat-vijnanah -- the source of knowledge; yat-adharah -- under whose protection; yat-parah -- under whose subordination; tvam -- you; yat-atmakah -- in what capacity; ekah -- alone; srijasi -- you are creating; bhutani -- the living entities; bhutaih -- with the help of the material elements; eva -- certainly; atma -- self; mayaya -- by potency.
TRANSLATION
My dear father, what is the source of your knowledge? Under whose protection are you standing? And under whom are you working? What is your real position? Do you alone create all entities with material elements by your personal energy?
PURPORT
It was known to Sri Narada Muni that Lord Brahma attained creative energy by undergoing severe austerities. As such, he could understand that there was someone else superior to Brahmaji who invested Brahma with the power of creation. Therefore he asked all the above questions. Discoveries of progressive scientific achievements are therefore not independent. The scientist has to attain the knowledge of a thing already existing by means of the wonderful brain made by someone else. A scientist can work with the help of such an awarded brain, but it is not possible for the scientist to create his own or a similar brain. Therefore no one is independent in the matter of any creation, nor is such creation automatic.
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His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness