Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 42
Raivata and Cākṣuṣa Manvantaras; Brahmā’s Prayers at Śvetadvīpa
Prelude to Samudra-manthana
लोभोऽधरात् प्रीतिरुपर्यभूद् द्युति- र्नस्त: पशव्य: स्पर्शेन काम: । भ्रुवोर्यम: पक्ष्मभवस्तु काल: प्रसीदतां न: स महाविभूति: ॥ ४२ ॥
lobho ’dharāt prītir upary abhūd dyutir nastaḥ paśavyaḥ sparśena kāmaḥ bhruvor yamaḥ pakṣma-bhavas tu kālaḥ prasīdatāṁ naḥ sa mahā-vibhūtiḥ
De Sa lèvre inférieure naquit l’avidité; de Sa lèvre supérieure, l’affection; de Son nez, l’éclat du corps; et de Son sens du toucher, le désir bestial. De Ses sourcils naquit Yamarāja, et de Ses cils, le temps sans commencement. Que ce Seigneur de souveraine puissance soit satisfait de nous.
FAQs
This verse states that Kāla (Time) is also an emanation from the Supreme Lord—symbolically described as arising from His eyelashes—showing that time is under His control, not independent.
In their prayer, the devas acknowledge the Lord as the ultimate source of all energies and functions in the cosmos—even the impulses within living beings—while still implying that these should be governed by dharma and devotion.
Recognize that powerful forces like desire, fear of time, and moral accountability are not random; they point to a higher order. Cultivate devotion and responsibility, and pray for divine guidance to channel impulses toward dharma.