Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17
Sṛṣṭi-varṇana, Bhārata-khaṇḍa-mahātmya, and Jagad-bhūgola
Creation, Glory of Bhārata, and World Geography
प्रकृतिश्चपुमांश्चैव कालश्चेति विधिस्थितिः । सृष्टिस्थितिविनाशानामेकः कारणतां गतः ॥ १७ ॥
prakṛtiścapumāṃścaiva kālaśceti vidhisthitiḥ | sṛṣṭisthitivināśānāmekaḥ kāraṇatāṃ gataḥ || 17 ||
自性（Prakṛti，原初之性）、神我（Puruṣa，觉知之理）与时间——此为既定之法。唯一的真实成为创造、维持与毁灭的唯一因地。
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It points to a unified vision: although Prakṛti, Puruṣa, and Time are spoken of, the Purāṇa emphasizes that ultimately one Supreme principle stands behind all cosmic functions—creation, maintenance, and dissolution—guiding the seeker toward non-dual clarity and liberation.
By establishing a single ultimate cause behind all change, the verse supports one-pointed devotion: the devotee can surrender to the One Lord as the controller of Prakṛti and Time, rather than being psychologically scattered among many competing powers.
The verse aligns with Vedic cosmological reasoning used in Jyotiṣa (Vedic astrology) through the principle of Kāla (Time) as a governing factor; it frames time as an ordered power within a higher, single causality.