Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 24
Brahmā’s Day, the Four Pralayas, and the Supreme Shelter Beyond Cause–Effect
दीपश्चक्षुश्च रूपं च ज्योतिषो न पृथग् भवेत् । एवं धी: खानि मात्राश्च न स्युरन्यतमादृतात् ॥ २४ ॥
dīpaś cakṣuś ca rūpaṁ ca jyotiṣo na pṛthag bhavet evaṁ dhīḥ khāni mātrāś ca na syur anyatamād ṛtāt
A lamp, the eye that sees by that lamp’s light, and the visible form that is seen are, in essence, not different from the element fire. In the same way, intelligence, the senses, and sense perceptions have no existence separate from the supreme reality, although that Absolute Truth remains wholly transcendent and distinct from them.
FAQs
This verse explains that just as lamp, eye, and form rely on light, intelligence, senses, and sense-objects cannot exist independently—everything rests upon the Supreme Reality.
He uses a simple perception-based analogy to show that cognition and experience require an underlying principle; similarly, all faculties of knowing and their objects depend on Bhagavan as the ultimate support.
Recognize that perception and intelligence are not absolute; cultivate humility and devotion by seeing all abilities and experiences as dependent on the Supreme, and use the senses in His service.