Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.8.18

ka eṣa yo 'sāv aham abja-pṛṣṭha

etat kuto vābjam ananyad apsu

asti hy adhastād iha kiñcanaitad

adhiṣṭhitaḿ yatra satā nu bhāvyam

SYNONYMS

kaḥ — who; eṣaḥ — this; yaḥ asau aham — that I am; abja-pṛṣṭhe — on top of the lotus; etat — this; kutaḥ — wherefrom; vā — either; abjam — lotus flower; ananyat — otherwise; apsu — in the water; asti — there is; hi — certainly; adhastāt — from below; iha — in this; kiñcana — anything; etat — this; adhiṣṭhitam — situated; yatra — wherein; satā — automatically; nu — or not; bhāvyam — must be.

TRANSLATION

Lord Brahmā, in his ignorance, contemplated: Who am I that am situated on the top of this lotus? Wherefrom has it sprouted? There must be something downwards, and that from which this lotus has grown must be within the water.

PURPORT

The subject matter of the speculations of Brahmā in the beginning regarding the creation of the cosmic manifestation is still a subject matter for mental speculators. The most intelligent man is he who tries to find the cause of his personal existence and that of the whole cosmic creation and thus tries to find the ultimate cause. If his attempt is properly executed with penances and perseverance, it is sure to be crowned with success.

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His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness