Shloka 22
Brahmā’s Day, the Four Pralayas, and the Supreme Shelter Beyond Cause–Effect
लय: प्राकृतिको ह्येष पुरुषाव्यक्तयोर्यदा । शक्तय: सम्प्रलीयन्ते विवशा: कालविद्रुता: ॥ २२ ॥
layaḥ prākṛtiko hy eṣa puruṣāvyaktayor yadā śaktayaḥ sampralīyante vivaśāḥ kāla-vidrutāḥ
एष प्राकृतिको लयः, यदा पुरुषस्य अव्यक्तस्य च शक्तयः कालविद्रुताः विवशाः सन्तः सम्प्रलीयन्ते, सर्वथा एकीभवन्ति।
FAQs
It describes prākṛtika pralaya as the stage when the material energies (śaktis) withdraw and merge back into their source, being irresistibly driven by Time (kāla), in relation to the Supreme Puruṣa and unmanifest prakṛti.
Parīkṣit is preparing for death through hearing Bhāgavatam; Śukadeva explains pralaya to establish detachment from temporary cosmic manifestations and to focus the listener on the Supreme Person beyond Time and matter.
Recognize that time inevitably dissolves all material arrangements; use that clarity to prioritize bhakti, simplify attachments, and invest daily effort in remembrance of the Supreme rather than temporary gains.