Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 19
Kardama Muni’s Penance, Viṣṇu’s Darśana, and the Arrangement of Devahūti’s Marriage
एक: स्वयं सञ्जगत: सिसृक्षया- द्वितीययात्मन्नधियोगमायया । सृजस्यद: पासि पुनर्ग्रसिष्यसे यथोर्णनाभिर्भगवन् स्वशक्तिभि: ॥ १९ ॥
ekaḥ svayaṁ sañ jagataḥ sisṛkṣayā- dvitīyayātmann adhi-yogamāyayā sṛjasy adaḥ pāsi punar grasiṣyase yathorṇa-nābhir bhagavan sva-śaktibhiḥ
亲爱的主啊，唯有祢创造诸宇宙。至上人格神（Bhagavān）啊，欲行创造之时，祢在第二能量“瑜伽幻力”（yoga-māyā）的统摄下，以自身诸能量生起、维持并再度收摄万有；正如蜘蛛以自力结网，又复将网收回。
In this verse two important words nullify the impersonalist theory that everything is God. Here Kardama says, “O Personality of Godhead, You are alone, but You have various energies.” The example of the spider is very significant also. The spider is an individual living entity, and by its energy it creates a cobweb and plays on it, and whenever it likes it winds up the cobweb, thus ending the play. When the cobweb is manufactured by the saliva of the spider, the spider does not become impersonal. Similarly, the creation and manifestation of the material or spiritual energy does not render the creator impersonal. Here the very prayer suggests that God is sentient and can hear the prayers and fulfill the desires of the devotee. Therefore, He is sac-cid-ānanda-vigraha, the form of bliss, knowledge and eternity.
FAQs
This verse says Bhagavān, by His own energies, creates, maintains, and then withdraws the universe back into Himself—like a spider producing and retracting its web.
Manu explains that although the Lord is nondual, He manifests apparent duality through His supreme yoga-māyā to carry out creation and cosmic functions.
It reminds a seeker to see life’s expansions and withdrawals as movements of the Lord’s energy—encouraging detachment, trust in divine order, and steady devotion through change.