PURPORT

Atri Rsi called for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, jagadisvara, the Lord of the universe. The Lord must exist before the creation, otherwise how could He be its Lord? If someone constructs a big building, this indicates that he must have existed before the building was constructed. Therefore the Supreme Lord, the creator of the universe, must be transcendental to the material modes of nature. But it is known that Visnu takes charge of the mode of goodness, Brahma takes charge of the mode of passion, and Lord Siva takes charge of the mode of ignorance. Therefore Atri Muni said, "That jagadisvara, the Lord of the universe, must be one of you, but since three of you have appeared, I cannot recognize whom I have called. You are all so kind. Please let me know who is actually jagadisvara, the Lord of the universe." In fact Atri Rsi was doubtful about the constitutional position of the Supreme Lord Visnu, but he was quite certain that the Lord of the universe cannot be one of the creatures created by maya. His very inquiry about whom he had called indicates that he was in doubt about the constitutional position of the Lord. Therefore he prayed to all three, "Kindly let me know who is the transcendental Lord of the universe." He was, of course, certain that not all of them could be the Lord, but the Lord of the universe was one of the three.