Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 6
Nārada and Aṅgirā Instruct Citraketu: Impermanence, Ātma-Tattva, and Mantra-Upadeśa
भूतैर्भूतानि भूतेश: सृजत्यवति हन्ति च । आत्मसृष्टैरस्वतन्त्रैरनपेक्षोऽपि बालवत् ॥ ६ ॥
bhūtair bhūtāni bhūteśaḥ sṛjaty avati hanti ca ātma-sṛṣṭair asvatantrair anapekṣo ’pi bālavat
The Bhūteśa, the Supreme Lord and master of all, brings about creation, maintenance, and destruction through living agents. Though He is unattached to this temporary manifestation, like a child playing on the shore He keeps all under His control and unfolds it as līlā. He employs a father for begetting, a king or government for protection, and agents such as serpents for destruction; these agents have no independent power, yet under māyā the soul imagines himself the doer.
No one can independently create, maintain or annihilate. Bhagavad-gītā (3.27) therefore says:
FAQs
This verse explains that the Supreme Lord creates, protects, and withdraws beings through other beings (and forces) that He has produced—agents who are not independent—while He Himself remains fully independent.
Narada instructs Citraketu to see the Lord’s governance behind material events: outcomes occur through various instruments, but the ultimate controller is the Supreme, who remains unattached and self-sufficient.
Recognize instruments and circumstances without losing sight of the higher controller; act responsibly, but reduce anxiety and resentment by understanding that many outcomes unfold through networks of causes under divine supervision.