Importance of Creation

Numerous sections of Srimad-Bhagavatam discuss the creation of the material world. It’s a topic which is detailed in Cantos Two, Three, Five, Eleven, and Twelve. Why is so much emphasis and prominence given to the subject matter?

1. Krishna’s Greatness – by exploring the complexity, intricacy and extreme vastness of universal creation, we better appreciate Krishna’s greatness in masterminding the whole process. The ingenuity of Krishna’s system allows Him to enjoy in the spiritual world, while this mammoth task is simultaneously carried out by His expansions and energies. It also demonstrates how far Krishna extends Himself, out of unlimited compassion, to fulfill the aspirations of the living entity.

2. Our Minuteness – when confronted by a huge ocean we naturally feel quite small. Similarly, when we begin to comprehend the enormity of the universe, it helps us put our life in perspective. The Srimad-Bhagavatam repeatedly exposes the absurdity of thinking oneself to the enjoyer, controller and centre of the universe.

3. Overall Confidence – the inquisitive mind, Srila Prabhupada said, will naturally look up at the night-time sky and wonder where it all came from. Thus, to satisfy our intellect, remove doubts and demonstrate that there is a substantial explanation of cosmic origins, the Srimad-Bhagavatam systematically details it. While the complexity and enormity of the explanation is beyond the grasp of our logic and intellect, many elements can allow us to interface with prevailing models of cosmology to open up new ways of thinking. For bhakti to flourish, we need to acknowledge the greatness of Krishna, the insignificance of ourselves, and possess unshakeable faith in scriptures (sastra) to make the connection. Thus, the invaluable explanations of universal creation significantly assist this process.