Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 31
Brahmā’s Day, the Four Pralayas, and the Supreme Shelter Beyond Cause–Effect
यथा हिरण्यं बहुधा समीयते नृभि: क्रियाभिर्व्यवहारवर्त्मसु । एवं वचोभिर्भगवानधोक्षजो व्याख्यायते लौकिकवैदिकैर्जनै: ॥ ३१ ॥
yathā hiraṇyaṁ bahudhā samīyate nṛbhiḥ kriyābhir vyavahāra-vartmasu evaṁ vacobhir bhagavān adhokṣajo vyākhyāyate laukika-vaidikair janaiḥ
正如人们依各自目的在世间事务中以种种方式使用黄金，因此黄金呈现多种形态；同样，超越物质感官、不可由感官触及的至上人格神阿多克沙阇，也被不同的人以世俗与吠陀的言辞从多方面加以阐述。
All those who are not pure devotees of the Supreme Lord are basically trying to exploit the Lord and His energies. According to their strategy of exploitation, they conceive of and describe the Absolute Truth in various ways. In Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam the Absolute Truth presents Himself as He actually is for the benefit of sincere people who do not foolishly try to conceptually manipulate the Supreme Godhead.
FAQs
This verse says the Lord is Adhokṣaja—beyond material sense perception—yet He can be meaningfully explained through words, especially via Vedic revelation, though people also use worldly reasoning and analogies.
He uses a familiar example: just as gold’s value is determined through different practical tests, the Supreme Lord is discussed and articulated in multiple ways—yet He remains transcendental and not reducible to mere material measurement.
Rely primarily on Vedic śabda (scriptural sound) and faithful hearing, using worldly examples only as supportive aids—remembering that the Lord ultimately transcends material categories and speculation.