Purusa Sukta and the Universal Form

Chapter 6

Purusa Sukta, a famous hymn from the Rg Veda which is dedicated to the ‘cosmic being’ (purusa), is the prayer uttered by Brahma at the time of creation. It explains how all things past, present and future, emanate from and rest in the purusa. Srimad-Bhagavatam confirms this purusa to be Garbhodakasayi Vishnu, who is immanent in the manifested world and simultaneously transcendental to it.

Brahma explained the significance of the mouth, nostrils, eyes, skin, hairs, nails, arms, feet, genitals, anus, back, veins, belly and heart of the Universal Form. He goes on to establish that regardless of one’s qualifications and so-called greatness, no living being can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead in totality. One is impelled to surrender, because if the Lord is unaware of His limits, how can we ever understand?