Srimad Bhagavatam — Panchama Skandha, Shloka 9
Rahūgaṇa Instructed by Jaḍa Bharata — Dehātma-buddhi, Nondual Truth, and the Mercy of Devotees
एवं निरुक्तं क्षितिशब्दवृत्त- मसन्निधानात्परमाणवो ये । अविद्यया मनसा कल्पितास्ते येषां समूहेन कृतो विशेष: ॥ ९ ॥
evaṁ niruktaṁ kṣiti-śabda-vṛttam asan nidhānāt paramāṇavo ye avidyayā manasā kalpitās te yeṣāṁ samūhena kṛto viśeṣaḥ
かくして「地」の語義は説かれた。だが万象がただ原子の結合によって生ずるという見解は、無明に覆われた心の作り事である。宇宙はしばし真実のように現れても、究竟には恒常の実在をもたぬ。
Those who follow the atomic theory think that the protons and electrons of atoms combine in such a way as to bring all material existence into being. However, the scientists fail to discover the cause of atomic existence itself. Under these circumstances, we cannot accept that the atom is the cause of the universe. Such theories are advanced by unintelligent people. According to real intelligence, the real cause of the cosmic manifestation is the Supreme Lord. Janmādy asya yataḥ: He is the original cause of all creation. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (10.8) : ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate. Kṛṣṇa is the original cause. Sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam: He is the cause of all causes. Kṛṣṇa is the cause of atoms, the material energy.
FAQs
This verse explains that ‘earth’ is a designation applied to atoms; due to ignorance the mind imagines real unity and solidity, and only by aggregation do distinctions like ‘earth’ appear.
He was dismantling Rahūgaṇa’s bodily and material assumptions, guiding him from external labels to self-realization—showing that perceived material categories are mind-made under avidyā.
By remembering that many ‘solid’ identities and anxieties are mental constructions, one can reduce attachment, cultivate detachment and clarity, and focus on the ātmā and devotion to Bhagavān.