The Arrival of Brahma
Once, when Krsna was ruling Dvaraka, Lord Brahma came to see Him, and the doorman immediately informed Lord Krsna of Brahma’s arrival.
Krsna’s Question
When Krsna was so informed, He immediately asked the doorman, `Which Brahma? What is his name?’
Brahma’s Surprise
The doorman therefore returned and questioned Lord Brahma.
When the doorman asked, Which Brahma?' Lord Brahma was surprised. He told the doorman, Please go inform Lord Krsna that I am the four-headed Brahma who is the father of the four Kumaras.’
Brahma’s Entry
The doorman then informed Lord Krsna of Lord Brahma’s description, and Lord Krsna gave him permission to enter. The doorman escorted Lord Brahma in, and as soon as Brahma saw Lord Krsna, he offered obeisances at His lotus feet.
Brahma’s Question
After being worshiped by Lord Brahma, Lord Krsna also honored him with suitable words. Then Lord Krsna asked him, `Why have you come here?’
Being questioned, Lord Brahma immediately replied, `I shall later tell You why I have come. First of all there is a doubt in my mind which I wish You would kindly dissipate.
The Purpose of the Inquiry
`Why did you inquire which Brahma had come to see You? What is the purpose of such an inquiry? Is there any other Brahma besides me within this universe?’
The Arrival of Multiple Brahmas
Upon hearing this, Sri Krsna smiled and immediately meditated.
Unlimited number of Brahmas arrived instantly.
These Brahmas had different numbers of heads. Some had ten heads, some twenty, some a hundred, some a thousand, some ten thousand, some a hundred thousand, some ten million and others a hundred million. No one can count the number of faces they had.
Arrival of Other Deities
There also arrived many Lord Sivas with various heads numbering one hundred thousand and ten million. Many Indras also arrived, and they had hundreds of thousands of eyes all over their bodies.
Brahma’s Bewilderment
When the four-headed Brahma of this universe saw all these opulences of Krsna, he became very bewildered and considered himself a rabbit among many elephants.
Offering Respect
All the Brahmas who came to see Krsna offered their respects at His lotus feet, and when they did this, their helmets touched His lotus feet.
Inconceivable Potency
No one can estimate the inconceivable potency of Krsna. All the Brahmas who were there were resting in the one body of Krsna.
When all the helmets struck together at Krsna’s lotus feet, there was a tumultuous sound. It appeared that the helmets themselves were offering prayers unto Krsna’s lotus feet.
Offering Prayers
With folded hands, all the Brahmas and Sivas began to offer prayers unto Lord Krsna, saying, `O Lord, You have shown me a great favor. I have been able to see Your lotus feet.’
All of them then said, `It is my great fortune, Lord, that You have called me, thinking of me as Your servant. Now let me know what Your order is so that I may carry it on my heads.’
Krsna’s Inquiry
Lord Krsna replied, `Since I wanted to see all of you together, I have called all of you here.
`All of you should be happy. Is there any fear from the demons?’
They replied, “By Your mercy, we are victorious everywhere”.
Relief from Burdens
“`Whatever burden was upon the earth You have taken away by descending on that planet.’
Perception of Dvaraka’s Opulence
This is the proof of Dvaraka’s opulence: all the Brahmas thought, `Krsna is now staying in my jurisdiction.'”Thus the opulence of Dvaraka was perceived by each and every one of them. Although they were all assembled together, no one could see anyone but himself.
Departure of the Brahmas
Lord Krsna then bade farewell to all the Brahmas there, and after offering their obeisances, they all returned to their respective homes.
Brahma’s Astonishment
After observing all these opulences, the four-headed Brahma of this universe was astonished. He again came before the lotus feet of Krsna and offered Him obeisances.
Brahma’s Realization
Brahma then said, `Whatever I formerly decided about my knowledge, I have just now had personally verified.’
Quoting Srimad-Bhagavatam
jananta eva janantu kim bahuktya na me prabho manaso vapuso vaco vaibhavam tava gocarah
`There are people who say, “I know everything about Krsna.” Let them think in that way. As far as I am concerned, I do not wish to speak very much about this matter. O my Lord, let me say this much. As far as your opulence’s are concerned, they are all beyond the reach of my mind, body, and words.’ This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.38), spoken by Lord Brahma.
Krsna’s Explanation
Krsna said, Your particular universe extends four billion miles; therefore it is the smallest of all the universes. Consequently, you have only four heads.
Some of the universes are one billion yojanas, some one trillion, some ten trillion, and some one hundred trillion yojanas. Thus they are almost unlimited in area.
According to the size of the universe, there are so many heads on the body of Brahma. In this way, I maintain innumerable universes [brahmandas].
No one can measure the length and breadth of one-fourth of My energy. Who can measure the three-fourths that is manifested in the spiritual world?
Beyond the River Viraja is a spiritual nature, which is indestructible, eternal, inexhaustible, and unlimited. It is the supreme abode consisting of three-fourths of the Lord’s opulences. It is known as paravyoma, the spiritual sky.
Conclusion
(Story from Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Madhyalila chapter 21)
