Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 32
Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Meets Lord Śiva: Devotee as Living Tīrtha and the Lord’s Māyā
सृष्ट्वेदं मनसा विश्वमात्मनानुप्रविश्य य: । गुणै: कुर्वद्भिराभाति कर्तेव स्वप्नदृग् यथा ॥ ३१ ॥ तस्मै नमो भगवते त्रिगुणाय गुणात्मने । केवलायाद्वितीयाय गुरवे ब्रह्ममूर्तये ॥ ३२ ॥
sṛṣṭvedaṁ manasā viśvam ātmanānupraviśya yaḥ guṇaiḥ kurvadbhir ābhāti karteva svapna-dṛg yathā
至上人格神以意念创造此宇宙，复以遍在的至魂（Paramātmā）进入其中；令自然三德（guṇa）运转，便似亲自为作者，如梦者在梦中行动。谨向彼三德之主、德性之本体、清净独一无二、至上灵性导师、绝对真理之本初人格形相的薄伽梵顶礼。
The Supreme Lord releases His material potencies, and by their interaction creation takes place. The Lord remains aloof, as the supreme transcendental entity. Still, because the entire creation unfolds according to His design and will, His controlling hand is perceived within all things. People thus imagine that God is the direct builder of this world, although He remains aloof, creating through the manipulation of His multifarious potencies.
FAQs
This verse says the modes of nature perform actions, yet the Lord may appear to be the doer—like a dreamer seemingly acting—while remaining transcendental.
To establish the Lord’s transcendence: He creates and enters the universe as the inner Self, but activity belongs to the gunas, helping Parikshit fix his mind in devotion beyond fear of death.
Do your duties responsibly, but reduce ego by remembering that results and movements of nature are governed by the gunas; offer actions to the Lord and stay steady in success and failure.