Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 19
Nondual Vision Beyond Praise and Blame
Dvandva-nivṛtti and Ātma-viveka
यथा हिरण्यं स्वकृतं पुरस्तात् पश्चाच्च सर्वस्य हिरण्मयस्य । तदेव मध्ये व्यवहार्यमाणं नानापदेशैरहमस्य तद्वत् ॥ १९ ॥
yathā hiraṇyaṁ sv-akṛtaṁ purastāt paścāc ca sarvasya hiraṇ-mayasya tad eva madhye vyavahāryamāṇaṁ nānāpadeśair aham asya tadvat
De même que l’or est là avant d’être façonné en objets, que l’or demeure lorsque les objets sont détruits, et qu’au milieu de l’usage, malgré des noms variés, l’essence n’est que l’or; ainsi, avant la création de cet univers, après sa dissolution et durant son maintien, Moi seul j’existe.
Gold is manufactured into many types of jewelry, as well as into coins and other luxurious products. But at each stage — before manufacture, during manufacture, during utilization and afterward — the essential reality is gold. In the same way, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the essential reality — both the dynamic and the ingredient cause of everything. All throughout the material creation, the Lord is simply setting into motion His own potency, which is not different from Him.
FAQs
It teaches that just as ornaments are merely gold despite different names and forms, the universe’s many designations rest upon a single underlying reality—Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme.
To help Uddhava see beyond changing names and forms (nāma-rūpa) and recognize the Lord as the constant essence, strengthening steady detachment and devotion.
Practice seeing temporary labels and roles as secondary, and remember the enduring spiritual essence—cultivating humility, reduced anxiety over change, and deeper remembrance of God.