Question: Can you please explain me the difference/similarities between the above mentioned personalities – Vairaja Brahma (emerged from between the eyes of Vishnu), Hiranyagarbha and Brahma born from Garbodhakasayi Vishnu.
I have come across some references in SB and Brahma Samhita, but still would like to know if Brahma is also called Hiranyagarbha, and also there are two Brahmas – one Brahma who emerged from between the eyes of Vishnu and the other Brahma from the lotus.
It is also mentioned that the seminal principle is Hiranyagarbha where all the jivas are merged.
Can you please explain these concepts?
Answer by Romapada Swami: I discussed this subject in great detail in my Seminar in Sri Brahma Samhita. For that reason, I will describe them here only in brief. For more detail please listen to the Seminar recordings.
1. Brahma born from Garbodhakasayi Vishnu
The Srimad Bhagavatam (SB) as well as Sri Brahma Samhita (SBS) both speak primarily of the feature of Lord Brahma who is born from the lotus arising from the navel of Garbodhakasayi Vishnu. He is thus also called ‘svayambhu’
since he is born without a mother. His service is to engineer and construct the universe under the direction and according to the plan of Garbodhakasayi Vishnu; this is called ‘sub-creation’ or visarga. He receives the Vedas directly from Garbodhakasayi Vishnu, and disseminates the Vedas within this created realm. This same Brahma is also a Guna Avatar, in charge of the mode of passion. He is invested with creative potency, srsti-sakti, by the Supreme Lord, which he utilizes for sub-creation.
2. The ‘prototype Brahma’, or Hiranyagarbha Brahma
A distinctly different Brahma is the ‘prototype Brahma’ who appears even before there are universes, or even shells of a universe into which Garbodhakasayi Vishnu enters! He appears directly from Maha Visnu, as does the ‘protoype Shambu’ and the form of Garbodakshayi. See SBS Text 15.
The purport of SBS Text 15 states: “Hiranyagarbha, the seminal principle, the portion of the Supreme Lord, is the prime progenitor who is different from the four-faced Brahma. This same Hiranyagarbha is the principle of seminal creating energy of every Brahma belonging to each of the infinity of universes.”
This indicates the clear distinction between the ‘prototype Brahma’, alternatively addressed as ‘Hiranyagarbha Brahma’ — and the Brahma born from the lotus, indicated in #1 above.
‘Hiranyagarbha Brahma’ is nondifferent from the ‘seminal principle’ mentioned in Text 15.
[CORRECTION: Within your question you state that Viraja Brahma is said to come from between the eyebrow of Visnu. This is incorrect. Prototype Brahma appears from the right limb of Maha-Vishnu, whereas Prototype Shambu appears from between the eyebrows of Maha-Vishnu. Note further that the Lord Shiva of this universe, who appears from the brow of Lord Brahma (SB 3.12.8) is a distinct manifestation of Lord Shiva from the Prototype Shambu.]3.’Viraja Brahma’ is a term rarely used. It is mentioned in SB 5.20.44.
It is this particular verse ‘Viraja Brahma’ refers to the same as #1 above, namely the Lord Brahma who is born from the lotus.
