Shloka 4
कर्मविद्या-भेदः
Karma–Vidyā Distinction: Paths of Bondage and Release
ततः प्रलीने सर्वस्मिन् स्थावरे जड़मे तथा । निर्वक्षा निस्तृणा भूमिर्दृश्यते कूर्मपृष्ठठत्
tataḥ pralīne sarvasmin sthāvare jaḍame tathā | nirvṛkṣā nistṛṇā bhūmir dṛśyate kūrmapṛṣṭhavat ||
毗耶娑说：当一切都已消融——无论是静止不动者，还是迟钝无知者——那时大地既无树木，又无青草，显现得如同龟背一般。此偈唤起宇宙收摄之时的伦理沉重：一切有身之命与其依托皆为暂住，世间看似稳固的根基，也会在回收之期到来时倏然消失。
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores impermanence: even the earth’s living cover—trees and grass—can vanish at dissolution. Ethically, it supports detachment and humility, reminding the listener not to cling to worldly forms as permanent.
Vyāsa describes a stage of pralaya (cosmic withdrawal) in which all beings and the stationary world have merged back, leaving the earth barren and smooth-looking, compared to a tortoise’s back.