TEXT 46
bhavanam brahmanah sthanam
dharanam sad-visesanam
sarva-sattva-gunodbhedah
prthivi-vrtti-laksanam
SYNONYMS
bhavanammodeling forms; brahmanahof the Supreme Brahman; sthanamconstructing places of residence; dharanamcontaining substances; sat-visesanamdistinguishing the open space; sarvaall; sattvaof existence; gunaqualities; udbhedahthe place for manifestation; prthiviof earth; vrttiof the functions; laksanamthe characteristics.
TRANSLATION
The characteristics of the functions of earth can be perceived by modeling forms of the Supreme Brahman, by constructing places of residence, by preparing pots to contain water, etc. In other words, the earth is the place of sustenance for all elements.
PURPORT
Different elements, such as sound, sky, air, fire and water, can be perceived in the earth. Another feature of the earth especially mentioned here is that earth can manifest different forms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By this statement of Kapilas it is confirmed that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Brahman, has innumerable forms, which are described in the scriptures. By manipulation of earth and its products, such as stone, wood and jewels, these forms of the Supreme Lord can be present before our eyes. When a form of Lord Krsna or Lord Visnu is manifested by presentation of a statue made of earth, it is not imaginary. The earth gives shape to the Lords forms as described in the scriptures.
In the Brahma-samhita there is description of Lord Krsnas lands, the variegatedness of the spiritual abode, and the forms of the Lord playing a flute with His spiritual body. All these forms are described in the scriptures, and when they are thus presented they become worshipable. They are not imaginary as the Mayavada philosophy says. Sometimes the word bhavana is misinterpreted as imagination. But bhavana does not mean imagination; it means giving actual shape to the description of Vedic literature. Earth is the ultimate transformation of all living entities and their respective modes of material nature.

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