Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 44
Raivata and Cākṣuṣa Manvantaras; Brahmā’s Prayers at Śvetadvīpa
Prelude to Samudra-manthana
नमोऽस्तु तस्मा उपशान्तशक्तये स्वाराज्यलाभप्रतिपूरितात्मने । गुणेषु मायारचितेषु वृत्तिभि- र्न सज्जमानाय नभस्वदूतये ॥ ४४ ॥
namo ’stu tasmā upaśānta-śaktaye svārājya-lābha-pratipūritātmane guṇeṣu māyā-raciteṣu vṛttibhir na sajjamānāya nabhasvad-ūtaye
Sembah sujud kepada Bhagavan, Keperibadian Tuhan Yang Maha Esa, yang tenang tanpa usaha dan puas dengan kedaulatan rohani-Nya sendiri. Baginda tidak terikat pada kegiatan guna-guna ciptaan māyā; dalam līlā di dunia pun Baginda bagaikan angin yang tidak melekat.
We can simply understand that behind the activities of material nature is the Supreme Lord, by whose indications everything takes place, although we cannot see Him. Even without seeing Him, we should offer Him our respectful obeisances. We should know that He is complete. Everything is done systematically by His energies ( parāsya śaktir vividhaiva śrūyate ), and therefore He has nothing to do ( na tasya kāryaṁ karaṇaṁ ca vidyate ). As indicated here by the word upaśānta-śaktaye, His different energies act, but although He sets these energies in action, He Himself has nothing to do. He is not attached to anything, for He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, let us offer our respectful obeisances unto Him.
FAQs
This verse says the Lord never becomes entangled in the activities of the modes (guṇas) created by Māyā, even though the world functions through those modes.
In this chapter the devas seek divine protection and guidance; they glorify the Lord as supremely independent and untouched by Māyā, making Him the only reliable refuge.
Act within daily duties but avoid identifying with the shifting moods and pressures of the “modes”; remember the Lord as transcendental, and cultivate steady devotion rather than reactive attachment.