Brahmā’s Stotra to Kṛshṇa at the Creation
This stotra was sung by four-faced Brahmā (Caturmukha Brahmā) when he came out of the nābhi-padma (navel-lotus) of Śrī Kṛshṇa at the beginning of creation. In it Brahmā praises Kṛshṇa as the master of Bṛndāvana, the Rāseśvara, the dark and beautiful one who gives joy to the cows, and the source from which all creation flows. It is found in the Brahma Khaṇḍa of the Brahma Vaivarta Mahā Purāṇa, Chapter 3.
The setting
Brahmā came out of the navel-lotus of Kṛshṇa. He was aged, dressed in white, and had four faces. He is the creator of all beings. With a thrilling body, a bowed head and folded hands, he stood before Kṛshṇa and sang this stotra.
When the stotra was finished, Brahmā greeted Śiva and Nārāyaṇa. Then he took his seat at the command of Kṛshṇa.
The stotra
Brahmā praised Kṛshṇa with these epithets:
- Guṇātīta: beyond the three guṇas.
- Advaita: non-dual.
- Anāśa: indestructible.
- Avyakta: unmanifest.
- Vyakta: manifest. Kṛshṇa is both at the same time.
- Avyaya: inexhaustible.
- Gopavesha-dhārī: the one who wears the form of a cowherd.
- Manohara: the stealer of minds.
- Nūtana-megha-śyāma: dark as a new rain cloud.
- Koṭi-manmatha-saundarya: he has the beauty of ten million Manmathas.
- Bṛndāvana-rāsamaṇḍala-stha: present in the Rāsamaṇḍala of Bṛndāvana.
- Rāseśvara: the master of the Rāsa.
- Rāsavāsa: the one who lives in the Rāsa.
- Rāsakrīḍā-ullāsa-pradāyaka: the giver of joy through the play of the Rāsa.
- Go-ānanda-kārika: the one who brings joy to the cows.
The phalaśruti
Whoever reads this stotra on rising gets these fruits:
- All pāpa (sin) is removed.
- No evil dreams come. Only good dreams come.
- The reader gets sampad (prosperity), putras (sons) and pautras (grandchildren).
- Devotion to Govinda (Govinda-bhakti) is born.
- Apakīrti (ill fame) is destroyed, and satkīrti (good fame) comes.
Sources
- Brahma Vaivarta Mahā Purāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, Chapter 3