Shloka 25
Vasudeva and Devakī Glorify Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; The Recovery of Devakī’s Six Sons from Sutala
खं वायुर्ज्योतिरापो भूस्तत्कृतेषु यथाशयम् । आविस्तिरोऽल्पभूर्येको नानात्वं यात्यसावपि ॥ २५ ॥
khaṁ vāyur jyotir āpo bhūs tat-kṛteṣu yathāśayam āvis-tiro-’lpa-bhūry eko nānātvaṁ yāty asāv api
ธาตุอากาศ ลม ไฟ น้ำ และดิน ปรากฏหรือเร้นอยู่ เล็กละเอียดหรือกว้างใหญ่ ตามที่อาศัยในสรรพสิ่งต่าง ๆ ฉันใด ปรมาตมาก็ทรงเป็นหนึ่งเดียว แต่ดูประหนึ่งเป็นหลายฉันนั้น
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains this and the previous verse as follows: The one Paramātmā appears to be many by the influence of the modes of nature that He Himself creates. How is that? Because although in truth the Paramātmā is self-illuminating, eternal, aloof from everything, and free of the modes of nature, when He appears as His manifestations He seems to be just the opposite — a multiplicity of temporary objects saturated with the modes of nature. Just as the elements of ether and so on, when manifesting in pots and other things, seem to appear and disappear, so the Paramātmā seems to appear and disappear in His various manifestations.
FAQs
This verse states that ether, air, fire, water, and earth—and their transformations—manifest and withdraw according to the Supreme Lord’s will.
Kṛṣṇa explains that although the Supreme is one, He seems diversified as the many forms, gradations, and elements within creation—an appearance governed by His intention.
Seeing changing circumstances as temporary manifestations helps cultivate detachment and steadiness, while remembering the one Divine reality behind all variety strengthens devotion and inner clarity.