Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 19
The Appearance of Lord Viṣṇu (Kṛṣṇa) and the Divine Exchange with Yoga-māyā
त्वत्तोऽस्य जन्मस्थितिसंयमान् विभो वदन्त्यनीहादगुणादविक्रियात् । त्वयीश्वरे ब्रह्मणि नो विरुध्यते त्वदाश्रयत्वादुपचर्यते गुणै: ॥ १९ ॥
tvatto ’sya janma-sthiti-saṁyamān vibho vadanty anīhād aguṇād avikriyāt tvayīśvare brahmaṇi no virudhyate tvad-āśrayatvād upacaryate guṇaiḥ
O my Lord, learned Vedic scholars conclude that the creation, maintenance and annihilation of the entire cosmic manifestation are performed by You, who are free from endeavor, unaffected by the modes of material nature, and changeless in Your spiritual situation. There are no contradictions in You, who are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Parabrahman. Because the three modes of material nature — sattva, rajas and tamas — are under Your control, everything takes place automatically.
As stated in the Vedas:
FAQs
It teaches that the Lord is intrinsically nirguṇa—beyond material modes and change—yet the guṇas are spoken of in relation to Him only because the universe, where guṇas operate, rests upon Him as its ultimate shelter.
Because the Lord does not act under material necessity; His mere supremacy and will sustain the cosmos. The world’s functions proceed by His power, while He remains unchanged and transcendental.
It encourages seeing changing circumstances as dependent on a higher, steady foundation—cultivating devotion and inner stability by taking shelter of the unchanging Supreme rather than being ruled by the shifting modes of nature.