PLATE ELEVEN

Desirous to learn the cause of all causes, Sri Narada Muni approached
his father, four-headed Lord Brahma, 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 Brahma
replied, ‘“‘My dear Narada, what you have spoken about me is under-
standable, because unless and until one is aware of the Personality of
Godhead, who is the ultimate truth beyond me, one is sure to be illu-
sioned 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 firma-
ment, the planets and the twinkling stars are also manifest. Therefore I
offer my obeisances and meditate upon Lord Krsna, the Personality of
Godhead, whose invincible potency influences the less intelligent class of
men to call me the supreme controller.” (pp. 238-249)
