Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 29
The Slaying of Narakāsura (Bhaumāsura), Rescue of the Princesses, and the Pārijāta Episode Begins
त्वं वै सिसृक्षुरज उत्कटं प्रभो तमो निरोधाय बिभर्ष्यसंवृत: । स्थानाय सत्त्वं जगतो जगत्पते काल: प्रधानं पुरुषो भवान् पर: ॥ २९ ॥
tvaṁ vai sisṛkṣur aja utkaṭaṁ prabho tamo nirodhāya bibharṣy asaṁvṛtaḥ sthānāya sattvaṁ jagato jagat-pate kālaḥ pradhānaṁ puruṣo bhavān paraḥ
Desiring to create, O unborn master, You increase and then assume the mode of passion. You do likewise with the mode of ignorance when You wish to annihilate the universe and with goodness when You wish to maintain it. Nonetheless, You remain uncovered by these modes. You are time, the pradhāna, and the puruṣa, O Lord of the universe, yet still You are separate and distinct.
The word jagataḥ in the third line of this verse indicates that the functions of creation, maintenance and annihilation are here mentioned in a cosmic context.
FAQs
This verse says Kṛṣṇa can manifest rajas for creation and sattva for maintenance while restraining tamas, yet He remains the Supreme beyond all guṇas.
After being freed by Kṛṣṇa, they glorify Him as the ultimate source and controller of cosmic functions—Time, material nature, and the indwelling Lord—showing His supremacy beyond mere historical events.
It encourages devotees to take shelter of Kṛṣṇa through bhakti to rise above mood-swings and material conditioning, aiming for steadiness and spiritual clarity.