FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.9.40

प्रजापतिर्धर्मपतिरेकदा नियमान् यमान् । भद्रं प्रजानामन्विच्छन्नातिष्ठत् स्वार्थकाम्यया ॥ ४० ॥
prajāpatir dharma-patir
[prajaapatir dharma-patir]
ekadā niyamān yamān
[ekadaa niyamaan yamaan]
bhadraṁ prajānām anvicchann
[bhadram prajaanaam anvichchann]
ātiṣṭhat svārtha-kāmyayā
[aatishthat svaartha-kaamyayaa]
prajā-patiḥ — the forefather of all living entities dharma-patiḥ — the father of religious life ekadā — once upon a time niyamān — rules and regulations yamān — principles of control bhadram — welfare prajānām — of the living beings anvicchan — desiring ātiṣṭhat — situated sva-artha — own interest kāmyayā — so desiring.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
prajāpatir dharma-patir
prajā-patiḥ
the forefather of all living entities
dharma-patiḥ
the father of religious life
ekadā niyamān yamān
ekadā
once upon a time
niyamān
rules and regulations
yamān
principles of control
bhadraṁ prajānām anvicchann
bhadram
welfare
prajānām
of the living beings
anvicchan
desiring
ātiṣṭhat svārtha-kāmyayā
ātiṣṭhat
situated
sva-artha
own interest
kāmyayā
so desiring.
Thus once upon a time the forefather of living entities and the father of religiousness, Lord Brahmā, situated himself in acts of regulative principles, desiring self-interest for the welfare of all living entities.

One cannot be situated in an exalted position without having undertaken a regulative life of rules and regulations. An unrestricted life of sense gratification is animal life, and Lord Brahmā, in order to teach all concerned within the jurisdiction of his generations, taught the same principles of sense control for executing higher duties. He desired the welfare of all as servants of God, and anyone desiring the welfare of the members of his family and generations must conduct a moral, religious life. The highest life of moral principles is to become a devotee of the Lord because a pure devotee of the Lord has all the good qualities of the Lord. On the other hand, one who is not a devotee of the Lord, however qualified he may be in the mundane sense of the term, cannot be qualified with any good quality worthy of the name. The pure devotees of the Lord, like Brahmā and persons in the chain of disciplic succession, do not do anything to instruct their subordinates without acting accordingly themselves.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Once, Brahmā, lord of dharma, desiring the benefit of the progeny, followed rules and regulations to fulfill his desire.
Commentary

After this, the conversation between Nārada and Brahmā which was previously described in SB 2.5 took place. Five verses describe this conditions under which this conversation took place. Desiring benefit for the progeny he followed rules and regulations, teaching others by his conduct, with his own purpose in mind -- “Let them also follow these rules.”

Brahmā chose regulated life — rules and restrictions — to teach his generations the way of welfare. Unrestricted sense gratification is animal life. Discipline isn't repression; it is the platform for higher work.
Reflection Questions
  • Where do I confuse self-restraint with self-repression?
  • What single discipline would lift me from 'animal life' onto a higher platform?
📝 My note

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