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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 3: Chapter 9: Verses 11-19
Brahma extols the Lord
The path leading to You can be discovered only by hearing Your praises etc., and You surely dwell in the lotus-like heart of Your devotees, purified through the practice of Devotion. In order to oblige Your devotees You assume that very form in which they think of You, O Lord, who are profusely praised !One (without a second), You are the disinterested friend, nay, the very inner Self of all beings seated in their very heart. That is why You are not pleased so much when worshipped by the gods with some deep-rooted desire in their heart, though through abundant materials, as through compassion towards all beings, a virtue which cannot be acquired by the wicked. Therefore, the highest reward of a man's act is to win Your pleasure, 0 Lord, through various religious pursuits such as sacrificial performances, charitable gifts, austere penance and observing sacred vows; for a religious act that has been dedicated to You never dies (brings inexhaustible merit). The illusion of diversity stands eternally swallowed by the very effulgence of Your Being, the abode of wisdom. My obeisance to You, the Supreme Person, You take delight in the sportful activis of Maya, who is responsible for the creation, presercation an dissolution of the universe. I have, therefore, made obeisance to You, the Ruler of the universe. They who utter Your names, signifying Your descent, virtues and exploits, even in an unconscious state at the moment of death, are immediately rid of their sins of many lives and attain (oneness with) brhmam who shines beyond the veil of Maya. I, therefore, take refuge in You who are unborn. Obeisance to the Lord manifesting Himself (at the time of creation) as the tree of this universe, which evolves from Prakrti- that has its root, again, in the Lord Himself- splitting it up into the three Gunas (Rajas, Sattva and Tamas), and appearing first of all as its three trunks, viz., myself (Brahma), Lord Visnu Himself and Lord Siva (who dwells of diversity stands eternally swallowed by the very effulgence of Your Being, the abode of
wisdom. My obeisance to You, the Supreme Person, You take delight in the sportful activities
of Maya, who is responsible for the creation, preservation and dissolution of the universe.
I have, therefore, made obeisance to You, the Ruler of the universe. They who utter Your
names, signifying Your descent, virtues and exploits, even in an unconscious state at the
moment of death, are immediately rid of their sins of many lives and attain (oneness with) Brahma, who shines beyond the veil of Maya. I, therefore, take refuge in You, who are unborn. Obeisance to the Lord manifesting Himself (at the time of creation) as the tree of this universe, which evolves from Prakrti-that has its root, again, in the Lord Himself--splitting it up into the three Gunas (Rajas, Sattva and Tamas), and appearing first of all as its three trunks, viz., myself (Brahma), Lord Visnu Himself and Lord Siva (who dwells on Mount Kailasa)----who are severally responsible for the creation, preservation and dissolution of the universe-and thereafter grows into numerous boughs and branches (viz., the various lords of created beings, Manus and so on). Your worship has been declared by Yourself as a man's duty yielding happy results. But neglecting this duty, man remains (mostly) engaged in prohibited acts. Time, however, which is most powerful and vigilant too, cuts off in a moment his hope of survival. As a matter of fact, it is You who appear in the form of Time; my obeisance is, therefore, due to You. Even I, who preside over the Satyaloka (the highest heaven), that endures for two Parardhas (the allotted span of Brahma's life) and is adored by all the other spheres, am afraid of Time. It was with the object of attaining You (and thus securing immunity from the ravages of Time) that I practised austere penance for many years. My obeisance to You, who preside over all sacrifices. (Being ever satisfied by Your own blissful nature) You have no craving for sense-delights. Yet, with a view to maintaining the standards of morality and virtue established by Yourself, You have voluntarily assumed forms in different species of life, such as birds, beasts, human beings, gods and others ! My salutation to You, the divine Purusottama (the Supreme Person).
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