Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 11
The Disappearance of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and the Aftermath in Dvārakā
राजन् परस्य तनुभृज्जननाप्ययेहा मायाविडम्बनमवेहि यथा नटस्य । सृष्ट्वात्मनेदमनुविश्य विहृत्य चान्ते संहृत्य चात्ममहिनोपरत: स आस्ते ॥ ११ ॥
rājan parasya tanu-bhṛj-jananāpyayehā māyā-viḍambanam avehi yathā naṭasya sṛṣṭvātmanedam anuviśya vihṛtya cānte saṁhṛtya cātma-mahinoparataḥ sa āste
O König, das Erscheinen und Verschwinden des Höchsten Herrn, das wie das von verkörperten Wesen wirkt, ist in Wahrheit ein Spiel Seiner Māyā, wie die Darbietung eines Schauspielers. Nachdem Er das Universum erschaffen hat, tritt Er in es ein, vollbringt eine Zeitlang Seine Līlās, zieht es schließlich wieder ein und verweilt in Seiner eigenen transzendenten Herrlichkeit.
According to Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, the so-called fight among the members of the Yadu dynasty was actually a display of the pastime potency of the Lord, since Lord Kṛṣṇa’s personal associates are never subject to ordinary birth and death like conditioned souls. This being the case, certainly the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself is transcendental to material birth and death, as clearly stated in this verse.
FAQs
This verse says the Supreme Lord’s apparent birth, actions, and disappearance are a divine display—like an actor’s performance—so He is never materially forced or karmically bound.
Śukadeva clarifies that the Lord creates, enters, and withdraws the universe without being changed by it, helping Parīkṣit understand Kṛṣṇa’s transcendence and deepen devotion free from doubt.
See life’s changes as temporary scenes within God’s greater plan; practice steady bhakti and remembrance, knowing the Lord remains untouched and can protect the devotee beyond all upheavals.