Brihadaranyaka Upanishad Ch.2.5.1-15 Lecture 77 on 17 October 2026 Q&A

Discussion on Brahma the Creator, the Three Akashas, and the Grace of the Divine Mother

Question 1: How Are We to Understand Brahma's Dependence on Vishnu in the Chandogya Upanishad?

Participant: So Maharaj, I have a question about Brahma, the creator. So in the first chapter of Chandogya, when there is this mahal, this laya is there, you know, and Vishnu – Lord Vishnu – is resting, we find that Brahma, Lord Brahma, is sitting on the lotus which is coming from the navel of Lord Vishnu. Correct.

And in the second chapter, we find that when the devas were vanquished by the asuras, they go to Lord Brahma, and then together with Lord Brahma they all go to a place where Lord Vishnu and Shiva were. So there seems to be a separation in that chapter – where in the first chapter we find that Lord Vishnu and Brahma actually seem – Lord Brahma seems to be very dependent in some way on Lord Vishnu.

And then we have this Srishti, Sthiti, Vinasha – you know, where Divine Mother is that. So she is the power that does that. So how are we to understand all of these things, Maharaj? I am not able to understand clearly.

Brahma Is the Creator: Creation Involves Knowledge

Response (Maharaj): Very clear. So Brahma is the Creator. So what is his job? Creation. Creation involves knowledge.

So that Brahma – present within Brahma – only became this entire universe. Not that he is sitting like a potter and creating. He became the creation. We have to understand. So we are all Brahmas only. Whenever you get some new idea, that is called a creative idea – you are a Brahma.

The Two Demons That Obstruct Creativity

Response: But if you want to manifest that creativity, two demons are of greatest obstruction. What is that? You want to hear – you are under the control of people who praise you, and you are affected by that praise. You are also affected by their criticism. That's why everybody is criticised. How many great people are appreciated?

So that is called – that is the purpose of the first chapter – that we are all slaves to our ears. Ears – to what function? Hearing. And what do we hear? We want to hear our praises. We don't want to hear our criticism. Until we overcome them, how are we going to lift our mind to our real purpose of creation?

The Inner Meaning of Creation

Response: What is creation? Here creation means to know that I am the creator. You follow now. I am – I am potentially divine. I want to manifest my divinity. What is the first obstruction? We should not be affected by anything that happens – by cold and heat, by happiness and unhappiness, by praise and criticism, by honour and dishonour, by gain and loss, by victory and defeat.

You follow now – that is the antarartha, inner meaning. So for that we require the grace of God, which is presented in the form of Vishnu.

The Symbolism of Vishnu Waking Up

Response: So as soon as Brahma praised the Divine Mother – "O Mother, please help me" – that Shakti is manifesting in the form of creation as Brahma, in the form of maintenance as Vishnu.

So that police do not protect us – how are we going to survive? So police is sleepy. What to do? We have to make him wake up. And who put him to sleep? Divine Mother. So therefore we beg the Divine Mother. Out of her compassion, immediately she wakes up the police – the leader of the police, or the Inspector General of Police, okay, IGP. And then he wakes up, and then he, on our behalf, helps us to overcome this weakness of going beyond dualities.

Then Brahma went back happily to do his job, which is called creation – which means, in our case, we progress in spiritual life and manifest and know that I am Brahma.

Participant: Okay.

Each Story Has Its Own Significance

Response: That is the symbolism. We have to understand it. So each history has its own significance. If we don't understand, we jumble up ideas from different places. And we become confused. We confuse others also. Okay.

Participant: Yeah.

Question 2: What Is the Difference Between Chit and Chidakasha?

Participant: And a different question, Maharaj. You have brought it up before, but I have understood it also, and that I am not somehow understanding the difference between chit and chidakasha, Maharaj.

Bahya Akasha and Chittakasha

Response: So akasha means space. Space means – when things can be kept, to put it simply. Only when there is space, you can put anything there.

So the external world has to be put. Therefore there is an external akasha, space. Okay.

Our thoughts are also objects. They have to be put. So it requires also space. That space where thoughts have to be kept, that is called chittakasha. Every thought is an object, and that thought has to be kept in memory and all that. So if the brain is full of junk, how are you going to remember what should be remembered? Therefore, there is a chittakasha to support every thought. Okay.

Chidakasha

Response: Similarly, there is a spiritual thought where consciousness has to manifest – that akasha which enables the consciousness to manifest and to function – that is called chidakasha.

So bahya akasha, chittakasha, chidakasha.

People often get confused with chitta and chit. Unfortunately, chitta means a thought. Chit means pure consciousness. But consciousness is manifesting – in our case, that is called chidabhasa. And that chidabhasa requires a space. So that space is called chidakasha.

This is the difference. Bahyakasha to contain the external world. Chittakasha to contain the internal world. Chidakasha to contain the reflected consciousness.

Question: Does Chidakasha Support Both Chittakasha and Bahyakasha?

Participant: Okay, so Maharaj, chidakasha – in that sense, is supporting both the chittakasha and the bahyakasha.

Response: Correct.

Participant: Am I understanding correctly?

Response: Correct.

Participant: Okay, yeah, okay, so – okay, yeah, now I understand, Maharaj, the three different.

Response: Yeah, yes, one.

Participant: Yeah, thank you, Maharaj.

Response: Okay, Jai Thakur.

Participant: Jai Thakur.

Question 3: Is Maya Beneficial or Not?

Participant: Pranam, Maharaj. So just a follow-up question – follow-up question on ma'am's. So you said that Mother actually has put – sort of – the consciousness or the knowledge to sleep, if I got it correct. But here there is some contradiction, like – why is that good, or is that bad? So the effect of Maya – is it beneficial or not? Or is it because some sects they do condemn that? They say that we have to overcome that and pray to Mother. So that is what my question is.

Potential Divinity and Unmanifested Divinity

Response: Okay, very clear. First of all, Swamiji's statement – you take: "Each soul is potentially divine." It is not manifest. Unmanifested divinity is called what? Potential divinity. Do you follow what I am saying?

Participant: Yes, Maharaj. I wasn't able to unmute myself.

Response: Yes. Never, never mute till the conversation is ended. Otherwise, it's a waste of time.

So potential means there are some obstructions. Just like a baby – Einstein is a potential Einstein. But he has to unmanifest – what is unmanifest? He has to bring into manifestation.

So every one of us – that Brahma represents every one of us with potential divinity. It is very practical. The life is meant – it is an opportunity. Who can help us? The grace of God in the form of guru, scripture, etcetera.

Praying for the Manifestation of the Unmanifested

Response: For that we have to pray: "O Mother, please help me to unravel, manifest this unmanifested." So for that, when we do – what happens – all the good environment, right teacher, right teaching, the grace – Bhadram Kannebhi Srunuyama Deva, etcetera. Everything that is right, which helps us to manifest, should come.

For that purpose, we have to also fight – carry on the fight. That ability to fight should come only by the grace of the Divine Mother. Shakti is necessary.

Vishnu as Manifested Shakti

Response: So that shakti – manifested shakti – is called Vishnu. So Vishnu is fighting with these demons called Madhu and Kaitava. And Madhu and Kaitava means what? Our state of mind which easily falls prey to both praise – it is affected. It becomes restless.

So when Bhagavan Vishnu, in his grace, he kills – means, by his grace we are able to overcome.

Swami Vivekananda's Prayer

Response: And this is beautifully expressed in our day-to-day prayer by Swami Vivekananda: Nirodhana Samahitamana Nirakhi Tava Kripaya. I am able to control my mind. How am I able to control? I see – nirakhi means in Bengali – I understand. What do I understand? Tava kripaya – by your grace.

For that purpose, we have to pray to God. God means Divine Mother. So this is how she wakes up the Vishnu. That is the fighting energy. And then the fighting energy overcomes, and that is how our potential divinity manifests.