While Lord Caitanya was speaking to Sanātana Gosvāmī about the opulences of Kṛṣṇa, He became deeply immersed in ecstasy, and in that transcendental state He recited a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.2.21) in which Uddhava, after the disappearance of Kṛṣṇa, told Vidura:
- svayaṁ tv asāmyātiśayas try-adhīśaḥ
- svārājya-lakṣmy-āpta-samasta-kāmaḥ
- baliṁ haradbhiś cira-loka-pālaiḥ
- kirīṭa-koṭīḍita-pāda-pīṭhaḥ
"Kṛṣṇa is the master of all demigods, including Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and the expansion of Viṣṇu within this universe. Therefore no one is equal to or greater than Him, and He is full in six opulences. All the demigods engaged in the administration of each universe offer their respectful obeisances unto Him. Indeed, the helmets on their heads are beautiful because they are decorated with the imprints of the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord." It is similarly stated in the Brahma-saṁhitā (5.1) that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and no one can be equal to or greater than Him. That is Brahmās conclusion. Although the universal rulers— Brahmā, Śiva and Viṣṇu—are masters of each and every universe, they too are servants of the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa.
As the cause of all causes, Lord Kṛṣṇa is also the cause of Mahā-Viṣṇu, the first of the incarnations who control this material creation. From Mahā-Viṣṇu come Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu and Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu. Thus Kṛṣṇa is the master of Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu and Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, and He is also the Supersoul within every living entity in the universe. The Brahma-saṁhitā (5.48) states: By Mahā-Viṣṇu's breathing innumerable universes are produced. In each universe there are innumerable Viṣṇu-tattvas, but it should be understood that Lord Kṛṣṇa is the master of them all and that they are but His partial plenary expansions.