| Canto 11: General History | Chapter 22: Enumeration of the Elements of Material Creation |
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 11.22.17
sargadau prakrtir hy asya
sattvadibhir gunair dhatte
SYNONYMS
sarga -- of creation; adau -- in the beginning; prakrtih -- the material nature; hi -- indeed; asya -- of this universe; karya -- the manifest products; karana -- and subtle causes; rupini -- embodying; sattva-adibhih -- by means of goodness, passion and ignorance; gunaih -- the modes; dhatte -- assumes its position; purusah -- the Supreme Lord; avyaktah -- not involved in material manifestation; iksate -- witnesses.
TRANSLATION
In the beginning of creation nature assumes, by the modes of goodness, passion and ignorance, its form as the embodiment of all subtle causes and gross manifestations within the universe. The Supreme Personality of Godhead does not enter the interaction of material manifestation but merely glances upon nature.
PURPORT
The Personality of Godhead is not subject to transformation like the subtle and gross material elements. Thus the Lord is avyakta, or not materially manifest at any stage of cosmic evolution. Regardless of the specific method of cataloging the material elements, the Lord remains the ultimate creator, maintainer and annihilator of the total cosmic situation.
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His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
His Holiness Hrdayananda dasa Goswami
Gopiparanadhana dasa Adhikari
Dravida dasa Brahmacari