150 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 5, Ch. 17

representation of false ego known as Rudra. By my own power I
create all the other demigods, the five elements and the senses.
Therefore, I worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is
greater than any of us and under whose control are situated all the
demigods, material elements and senses, and even Lord Brahma
and I myself, like birds bound by a rope. Only by the Lord’s grace
can we create, maintain and annihilate the material world.
Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme
Being.

PURPORT

A summary of creation is given in this verse. From Sankarsana, Maha-
Visnu expands, and from Maha-Visnu, Garbhodakasayi Visnu expands.
Lord Brahma, who was born of Garbhodakasayi Visnu, fathers Lord
Siva, from whom all the other demigods gradually evolve. Lord Brahma,
Lord Siva and Lord Visnu are incarnations of the different material
qualities. Lord Visnu is actually above all material qualities, but He ac-
cepts control of sattva-guna (the mode of goodness) to maintain the
universe. Lord Brahma is born from the mahat-tattva. Brahma creates
the entire universe, Lord Visnu maintains it, and Lord Siva annihilates
it. The Supreme Personality of Godhead controls all the most important
demigods—especially Lord Brahma and Lord Siva—exactly as the owner
of a bird controls it by binding it with a rope. Sometimes vultures are
controlled in this way.

TEXT 24

afafiat safe Bandi
Aa TASH TUTTE: |
a 3 femora
TH aa SANTA IWMI

yan-nirmitam karhy api karma-parvanim
mayam jano ’yarn guna-sarga-mohitah
na veda nistdrana-yogam anjasa
tasmai namas te vilayodaydtmane
