Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 8.12.39

ko nu me 'titaren mayam

vishaktas tvad-rite puman

tams tan visrijatim bhavan

dustaram akritatmabhih

SYNONYMS

kah -- what; nu -- indeed; me -- My; atitaret -- can surpass; mayam -- illusory energy; vishaktah -- attached to material sense enjoyment; tvat-rite -- except for you; puman -- person; tan -- such conditions; tan -- unto the materially attached persons; visrijatim -- in surpassing; bhavan -- reactions of material activities; dustaram -- very difficult to surmount; akrita-atmabhih -- by persons unable to control their senses.

TRANSLATION

My dear Lord Sambhu, who within this material world but you can surpass My illusory energy? People are generally attached to sense enjoyment and conquered by its influence. Indeed, the influence of material nature is very difficult for them to surmount.

PURPORT

Of the three chief demigods -- Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesvara -- all but Vishnu are under the influence of maya. In Caitanya-caritamrita, they are described as mayi, which means "under maya's influence." But even though Lord Siva associates with maya, he is not influenced. The living entities are affected by maya, but although Lord Siva apparently associates with maya, he is not affected. In other words, all living entities within this material world except for Lord Siva are swayed by maya. Lord Siva is therefore neither vishnu-tattva nor jiva-tattva. He is between the two.

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His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness