Adi-tila, Chapter 2 145

SYNONYMS

atra—in the Srimad-Bhagavatam; sargah—the creation of the ingredients of the
universe; visargaf—the creations of Brahma; ca—and; sthanam—the maintenance of
the creation; posanam—the favoring of the Lord’s devotees; utayah—impetuses for
activity; manu-antara—prescribed duties given by the Manus; isa-anukathah—a
description of the incarnations of the Lord; nirodhah—the winding up of creation;
muktih—liberation; asrayah—the ultimate shelter, the Supreme Personality of
Godhead; dasamasya—of the tenth (the dsraya); visuddhi-artham—for the purpose
of perfect knowledge; navandm—of the nine; iha—here; /aksanam—the nature;
varnayanti—describe; mahdtmanah—the great souls; srutena—by prayer; arthena—
by explanation; ca—and; afijasd—direct.

TRANSLATION

“Here [in Srimad-Bhagavatam] ten subjects are described: (1) the creation of the
ingredients of the cosmos, (2) the creations of Brahma, (3) the maintenance of the
creation, (4) special favor given to the faithful, (5) impetuses for activity, (6) pre-
scribed duties for law-abiding men, (7) a description of the incarnations of the
Lord, (8) the winding up of the creation, (9) liberation from gross and subtle
material existence, and (10) the ultimate shelter, the Supreme Personality of God-
head. The tenth item is the shelter of all the others. To distinguish this ultimate
shelter from the other nine subjects, the mahajanas have described these nine,
directly or indirectly, through prayers or direct explanations.”

PURPORT

This verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.10.1) lists the ten subject matters dealt
with in the text of the Bhdgavatam. Of these, the tenth is the substance, and the
other nine are categories derived from the substance. These ten subjects are listed
as follows.

(1) Sarga: the first creation by Visnu, the bringing forth of the five gross material
elements, the five objects of sense perception, the ten senses, the mind, intelligence,
false ego and the total material energy or universal form.

(2) Visarga: the secondary creation, or the work of Brahma in producing the
moving and unmoving bodies in the universe (brahmanda).

(3) Sthana: the maintenance of the universe by the Personality of Godhead,
Visnu. Visnu’s function is more important and His glory greater than Brahma’s and
Lord Siva’s, for although Brahma is the creator and Lord Siva the destroyer, Visnu
is the maintainer.

(4) Posana: special care and protection for devotees by the Lord. As a king main-
tains his kingdom and subjects but nevertheless gives special attention to the mem-
bers of his family, so the Personality of Godhead gives special care to His devotees
who are souls completely surrendered to Him.

(5) Oti: the urge for creation or initiative power that is the cause of all inventions,
according to the necessities of time, space and objects.
