PLATE ELEVEN
Desirous to learn the cause of all causes, Śrī Nārada Muni approached his father, four-headed Lord Brahmā, and spoke as follows: “My dear father, whatever was created in the past, whatever will be created in the future, and whatever is being created at present, as well as everything within the universe, is within your grip, just like a walnut. As the spider very easily creates the network of its cobweb without being defeated by others, so also you yourself, by employing your self-sufficient energy, appear to create without any others’ help. Yet we are moved to wonder about the existence of someone more powerful than you when we think of your great austerities and perfect discipline, although your good self is so powerful in the matter of creation. My dear father, what is the source of your knowledge, and under whom are you working?” Lord Brahmā replied, “My dear Nārada, what you have spoken about me is understandable, because unless and until one is aware of the Personality of Godhead, who is the ultimate truth beyond me, one is sure to be illusioned by observing my powerful activities. The truth is that I create only after the Lord’s creation by His personal effulgence, the  brahma-jyoti , just as when the sun manifests its fire, then the moon, the firmament, the planets and the twinkling stars are also manifest. Therefore I offer my obeisances and meditate upon Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, whose invincible potency influences the less intelligent class of men to call me the supreme controller.” (pp. 238–249)