Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 15
Sāṅkhya of Creation and Annihilation
Sarga–Nirodha-viveka
मया कालात्मना धात्रा कर्मयुक्तमिदं जगत् । गुणप्रवाह एतस्मिन्नुन्मज्जति निमज्जति ॥ १५ ॥
mayā kālātmanā dhātrā karma-yuktam idaṁ jagat guṇa-pravāha etasminn unmajjati nimajjati
我以时间之力为至上造化者，已在此世安置一切业行之果。故在三德之洪流中，众生时而浮起，时而复又沉没。
Unmajjati refers to one’s promotion to the higher planetary systems, as mentioned in previous verses, and nimajjati refers to being submerged in a miserable condition of life by impious activities. In both cases one is drowning within the mighty river of material existence, which carries one far away from one’s real home in the kingdom of God.
FAQs
This verse states that the Lord Himself acts as Time, the supreme ordainer who governs the universe and administers karmic results, causing conditioned beings to rise and fall within material nature.
In the Uddhava Gītā teachings, Kṛṣṇa explains the mechanics of bondage—karma operating under the flow of the guṇas—so Uddhava can understand how to transcend material conditioning through devotion and spiritual knowledge.
Recognize that repeated “ups and downs” are driven by past actions and the modes of nature; reduce impulsive rājasic and tamasic habits, cultivate sāttvika discipline, and anchor life in bhakti to rise beyond the guṇa-current.