Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 37
Brahmā’s Day, the Four Pralayas, and the Supreme Shelter Beyond Cause–Effect
अनाद्यन्तवतानेन कालेनेश्वरमूर्तिना । अवस्था नैव दृश्यन्ते वियति ज्योतिषामिव ॥ ३७ ॥
anādy-antavatānena kāleneśvara-mūrtinā avasthā naiva dṛśyante viyati jyotiṣām iva
始まりも終わりもない時—至上主の非人格的な代表—によって生じるこれらの段階は見えない。あたかも天空の惑星の、極微の刹那的な位置変化が直接には見えぬように。
Although everyone knows that the sun is constantly moving in the sky, one cannot normally see the sun moving. Similarly, no one can directly perceive his hair or nails growing, although with the passing of time we perceive the fact of growth. Time, the potency of the Lord, is very subtle and powerful and is an insurmountable barrier to fools who are trying to exploit the material creation.
FAQs
This verse states that Time is īśvara-mūrti—an expression of the Supreme Lord—beginningless and endless, through which the universe’s changes occur.
He explains to Mahārāja Parīkṣit that under the Lord’s form as Time, transformations happen continuously, so distinct “stages” are not easily seen—like changing conditions of celestial bodies in the sky.
Seeing time-driven change as inevitable reduces attachment and anxiety, encouraging steadiness in bhakti and focus on what is eternal rather than temporary conditions.