TEXT 4
yad-vijnano yad-adharo
yat-paras tvam yad-atmakah
ekah srjasi bhutani
bhutair evatma-mayaya
SYNONYMS
yat-vijnanahthe source of knowledge; yat-adharahunder whose protection; yat-parahunder whose subordination; tvamyou; yat-atmakahin what capacity; ekahalone; srjasiyou are creating; bhutanithe living entities; bhutaihwith the help of the material elements; evacertainly; atmaself; mayayaby potency.
TRANSLATION
My dear father, what is the source of your knowledge? Under whose protection are you standing? And under whom are you working? What is your real position? Do you alone create all entities with material elements by your personal energy?
PURPORT
It was known to Sri Narada Muni that Lord Brahma attained creative energy by undergoing severe austerities. As such, he could understand that there was someone else superior to Brahmaji who invested Brahma with the power of creation. Therefore he asked all the above questions. Discoveries of progressive scientific achievements are therefore not independent. The scientist has to attain the knowledge of a thing already existing by means of the wonderful brain made by someone else. A scientist can work with the help of such an awarded brain, but it is not possible for the scientist to create his own or a similar brain. Therefore no one is independent in the matter of any creation, nor is such creation automatic.

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