Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 34
Brahmā’s Day, the Four Pralayas, and the Supreme Shelter Beyond Cause–Effect
यदैवमेतेन विवेकहेतिना मायामयाहङ्करणात्मबन्धनम् । छित्त्वाच्युतात्मानुभवोऽवतिष्ठते तमाहुरात्यन्तिकमङ्ग सम्प्लवम् ॥ ३४ ॥
yadaivam etena viveka-hetinā māyā-mayāhaṅkaraṇātma-bandhanam chittvācyutātmānubhavo ’vatiṣṭhate tam āhur ātyantikam aṅga samplavam
My dear Parīkṣit, when the māyā-made false ego that binds the soul is cut off by the sword of discriminating knowledge, and realization of Lord Acyuta, the Supreme Soul, becomes firmly established, this is called ātyantika—the ultimate annihilation of material existence.
FAQs
This verse explains that the ultimate dissolution is not merely cosmic destruction, but the final ending of bondage when one cuts māyā-born ego and becomes firmly established in direct realization of Acyuta (the Supreme Lord).
Because from the liberated soul’s perspective, the ‘world’ created by false ego and māyā is dissolved when discrimination destroys misidentification, leaving steady God-realization.
Cultivate discernment—separating the temporary ego-identity from the true self—and anchor daily choices in remembrance of Acyuta; as ego loosens, inner freedom and steadiness in spiritual awareness grows.