Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 8
Nimi Questions the Yogendras: Māyā, Cosmic Dissolution, Guru-Śaraṇāgati, Bhakti, and Deity Worship
धातूपप्लव आसन्ने व्यक्तं द्रव्यगुणात्मकम् । अनादिनिधन: कालो ह्यव्यक्तायापकर्षति ॥ ८ ॥
dhātūpaplava āsanne vyaktaṁ dravya-guṇātmakam anādi-nidhanaḥ kālo hy avyaktāyāpakarṣati
เมื่อการสลายของธาตุวัตถุใกล้เข้ามา พระผู้เป็นเจ้าในรูปแห่งกาลอันไร้ต้นไร้ปลาย ทรงดึงจักรวาลที่ปรากฏทั้งหยาบและละเอียดกลับคืน และทำให้ลับสู่ภาวะอวิยักตะ (ไม่ปรากฏ)
In the Third Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Lord Kapiladeva teaches that the material nature originally exists in an inert state of equilibrium called pradhāna. When Lord Viṣṇu casts His potent glance in the form of kāla, or time, material interactions take place, culminating in the variegated creation of the material cosmos. In this verse it is stated that at the end of universal time the same kāla that originally incited the female nature into manifestation again withdraws the cosmos into its original state of inert nonmanifestation. According to Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, the time potency itself, kāla, is then withdrawn, and it merges into the Supreme Soul, who manifests Himself as the original cause of material nature ( anādir ādir govindaḥ sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam ).
FAQs
This verse states that Time—beginningless and endless—withdraws the manifested world of matter and qualities back into the unmanifest when dissolution approaches.
In the Uddhava Gītā context, Krishna teaches Uddhava detachment and clear vision: the world is temporary and ultimately reclaimed by Time, so one should seek the eternal Lord.
Remembering that all material situations change and end helps reduce anxiety and attachment, encouraging steady devotion, disciplined living, and focus on lasting spiritual goals.