Shloka 20
यथा हि भूतेषु चराचरेषु मह्यादयो योनिषु भान्ति नाना । एवं भवान् केवल आत्मयोनि- ष्वात्मात्मतन्त्रो बहुधा विभाति ॥ २० ॥
yathā hi bhūteṣu carācareṣu mahy-ādayo yoniṣu bhānti nānā evaṁ bhavān kevala ātma-yoniṣv ātmātma-tantro bahudhā vibhāti
Just as the great elements—earth and the rest—shine forth in many forms among all moving and unmoving species, so You, the one independent Supreme Soul, appear as manifold within the variegated objects of Your creation.
FAQs
This verse explains that just as the same material elements appear in countless bodies, the Supreme Lord alone manifests in many ways—yet remains self-born and fully independent—within His own divine expansions and appearances.
When Akrura came to Vṛndāvana and met Śrī Kṛṣṇa, he offered prayers recognizing Kṛṣṇa’s supreme identity—praising Him as the one Lord who appears diversely while remaining the single, self-governed source.
It encourages surrender and steadiness: rather than trying to control everything, a devotee trusts the Lord’s independent will, practices devotion sincerely, and sees divine purpose even amid changing circumstances.