—json {

  "name":"SB 4.6.42",
  "h1":"SB 4.6.42",
  "label":"Text 42",
  "title":"Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 4.6.42",
  "description":"Lord Brahmā said: My dear Lord Śiva, I know that you are the controller of the entire material manifestation, the combination father and mother of the cosmic manifestation, and the Supreme Brahman beyond the cosmic manifestation as well. I know you in that way."

} —

SB 4.6.42

ब्रह्मोवाच
आने त्वामीशं विश्वस्य जगतो योनिबीजयोः ।
शक्तेः शिवस्य च परं यत्तद्ब्रह्मा निरन्तरम् ॥४२॥

Text

brahmovāca
jāne tvām īśaṁ viśvasya
jagato yoni-bījayoḥ
śakteḥ śivasya ca paraṁ
yat tad brahma nirantaram

Synonyms

brahmā uvāca—Lord Brahmā said; jāne—I know; tvām—you (Lord Śiva); īśam—the controller; viśvasya—of the entire material manifestation; jagataḥ—of the cosmic manifestation; yoni-bījayoḥ—of both the mother and father; śakteḥ—of potency; śivasya—of Śiva; ca—and; param—the Supreme; yat—which; tat—that; brahma—without change; nirantaram—with no material qualities.

Translation

Lord Brahmā said: My dear Lord Śiva, I know that you are the controller of the entire material manifestation, the combination father and mother of the cosmic manifestation, and the Supreme Brahman beyond the cosmic manifestation as well. I know you in that way.

Purport

Although Lord Brahmā had received very respectful obeisances from Lord Śiva, he knew that Lord Śiva was in a more exalted position than himself. Lord Śiva's position is described in Brahma-saṁhitā: there is no difference between Lord Viṣṇu and Lord Śiva in their original positions, but still Lord Śiva is different from Lord Viṣṇu. The example is given that the milk in yogurt is not different from the original milk from which it was made.