Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 6
Nārada and Aṅgirā Instruct Citraketu: Impermanence, Ātma-Tattva, and Mantra-Upadeśa
भूतैर्भूतानि भूतेश: सृजत्यवति हन्ति च । आत्मसृष्टैरस्वतन्त्रैरनपेक्षोऽपि बालवत् ॥ ६ ॥
bhūtair bhūtāni bhūteśaḥ sṛjaty avati hanti ca ātma-sṛṣṭair asvatantrair anapekṣo ’pi bālavat
万有之主卜提耶沙（Bhūteśa）借诸众生而令众生生起、住持与毁灭。祂本不执著于这暂时的宇宙显现，却如海滩嬉戏的孩童一般，将一切置于掌控之中而行其利拉（līlā）。祂以父亲为生育之媒，以君王政权为护持之具，以蛇等为毁灭之使；这些使者并无独立之力，唯因幻力（māyā）迷惑，众生才自以为是创造者与毁灭者。
No one can independently create, maintain or annihilate. Bhagavad-gītā (3.27) therefore says:
FAQs
This verse explains that the Supreme Lord creates, protects, and withdraws beings through other beings (and forces) that He has produced—agents who are not independent—while He Himself remains fully independent.
Narada instructs Citraketu to see the Lord’s governance behind material events: outcomes occur through various instruments, but the ultimate controller is the Supreme, who remains unattached and self-sufficient.
Recognize instruments and circumstances without losing sight of the higher controller; act responsibly, but reduce anxiety and resentment by understanding that many outcomes unfold through networks of causes under divine supervision.