Shloka 45
Bhakti Yoga: The Three Modes of Devotion, Non-Envy, and Time as the Lord
सोऽनन्तोऽन्तकर: कालोऽनादिरादिकृदव्यय: । जनं जनेन जनयन्मारयन्मृत्युनान्तकम् ॥ ४५ ॥
so ’nanto ’nta-karaḥ kālo ’nādir ādi-kṛd avyayaḥ janaṁ janena janayan mārayan mṛtyunāntakam
Eternal time, without beginning or end, is the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It brings one being forth from another to carry on creation, leads the phenomenal world to its end, and finally dissolves the universe by destroying even Yamarāja, the lord of death.
By the influence of eternal time, which is a representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the father begets a son, and the father dies by the influence of cruel death. But by time’s influence, even the lord of cruel death is killed. In other words, all the demigods within the material world are temporary, like ourselves. Our lives last for one hundred years at the most, and similarly, although their lives may last for millions and billions of years, the demigods are not eternal. No one can live within this material world eternally. The phenomenal world is created, maintained and destroyed by the finger signal of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore a devotee does not desire anything in this material world. A devotee desires only to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This servitude exists eternally; the Lord exists eternally, His servitor exists eternally, and the service exists eternally.
FAQs
This verse explains that the Supreme Lord Himself is Kāla (Time), who brings creation and destruction—causing birth through living beings and ending life through death.
Kapila teaches Devahuti that the same Supreme Reality governs both birth and death; understanding this supports detachment from the temporary body and strengthens devotion to the eternal Lord.
Remembering that time inevitably ends all material situations encourages prioritizing bhakti, living responsibly, and reducing anxiety by taking shelter of the imperishable Lord.