SB 10.14.9
pasyesa me ’naryam ananta adye
paratmani tvayy api mayi-mayini
mayam vitatyeksitum atma-vaibhavam
hy aham kiyan aiccham ivarcir agnau
Translation:
My Lord, just see my uncivilized impudence! To test Your power I tried to extend my illusory potency to cover You, the unlimited and primeval Supersoul, who bewilder even the masters of illusion. What am I compared to You? I am just like a small spark in the presence of a great fire.
Purport:
A great fire produces many sparks, which are insignificant in comparison to it. Indeed, if one of the small sparks were to try to burn the original fire, the attempt would be simply ludicrous. Similarly, even the creator of the entire universe, Lord Brahma, is an insignificant spark of the potency of God, and therefore Brahma’s attempt to bewilder the Supreme Lord was certainly ludicrous.
Brahma here addresses Lord Krsna as isa, which indicates that Krsna is not only the supreme master of everyone but is also specifically the master of Brahma, who creates the universe directly under the guidance of the Lord and who, indeed, is born directly from the Lord’s own body.
Brahma felt ashamed of his impudent attempt at deluding Lord Krsna, and he was therefore perfectly willing to be punished or forgiven by the Lord, according to His decision. If Lord Krsna does not mercifully punish His devotees when they act improperly, their foolishness will simply increase and gradually completely overwhelm their devotional sentiments. Therefore Lord Krsna kindly disciplines His devotees and maintains them on the progressive path back home, back to Godhead.