Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 40
Kapila Describes Bhakti-Saturated Aṣṭāṅga-Yoga and Meditation on the Lord’s Form
यथोल्मुकाद्विस्फुलिङ्गाद्धूमाद्वापि स्वसम्भवात् । अप्यात्मत्वेनाभिमताद्यथाग्नि: पृथगुल्मुकात् ॥ ४० ॥
yatholmukād visphuliṅgād dhūmād vāpi sva-sambhavāt apy ātmatvenābhimatād yathāgniḥ pṛthag ulmukāt
Как из пылающего полена возникают пламя, искры и дым, хотя они связаны общим источником, так и огонь по своей сущности отличен от них.
Although the blazing firewood, the sparks, the smoke and the flame cannot stay apart because each of them is part and parcel of the fire, still they are different from one another. A less intelligent person accepts the smoke as fire, although fire and smoke are completely different. The heat and light of the fire are separate, although one cannot differentiate fire from heat and light.
FAQs
This verse explains that even if the Lord is understood as the indwelling Self of all beings, He remains distinct—like fire remains separate from the ember, spark, or smoke from which it appears.
Kapila uses this analogy to clarify non-confusion: effects may arise from a source and be connected to it, yet the Supreme Reality (Bhagavān/Paramātmā) is not identical to the conditioned beings or their material manifestations.
Practice seeing God’s presence within all while keeping clear the Lord’s transcendence—cultivating humility (I am dependent) and devotion (He is the supreme shelter) during meditation, prayer, and daily duties.