SB 4.1.21

TEXT 21

TEXT

तप्यमानं त्रिभुवनं प्राणायामैधसाग्निना ।
निर्गतेन मुनेर्मूर्ध्नः समीक्ष्य प्रभवस्त्रयः ॥ २१ ॥

tapyamanam tri-bhuvanam

pranayamaidhasagnina

nirgatena muner murdhnah

samiksya prabhavas trayah

tapyamanam-while practicing austerities; tri-bhuvanam-the three worlds; pranayama-practice by breathing exercise; edhasa-fuel; agnina-by the fire; nirgatena-issuing out; muneh-of the great sage; murdhnah-the top of the head; samiksya-looking over; prabhavah trayah-the three great gods (Brahma, Visnu and Mahesvara).

TRANSLATION

While Atri Muni was engaged in these severe austerities, a blazing fire came out of his head due to his breathing exercise, and that fire was seen by the three principal deities of the three worlds.

PURPORT

According to Srila Jiva Gosvami, the fire of pranayama is mental satisfaction, and that was perceived by the Supersoul, Visnu, and thereby Lord Brahma and Siva also perceived it. By his breathing exercise Atri Muni concentrated on the Supersoul, or the Lord of the universe. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gita, the Lord of the universe is Vasudeva (vasudevah sarvam iti), and, by the direction of Vasudeva, Lord Brahma and Lord Siva work. Therefore, on the direction of Vasudeva, both Lord Brahma and Lord Siva perceived the severe penance adopted by Atri Muni, and thus they were pleased to come down, as stated in the next verse.