FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.10.12

विश्वं वै ब्रह्मतन्मात्रं संस्थितं विष्णुमायया । ईश्वरेण परिच्छिन्नं कालेनाव्यक्तमूर्तिना ॥ १२ ॥
viśvaṁ vai brahma-tan-mātraṁ
[vishvam vai brahma-tan-maatram]
saṁsthitaṁ viṣṇu-māyayā
[samsthitam vishnu-maayayaa]
īśvareṇa paricchinnaṁ
[eeshvarena parichchinnam]
kālenāvyakta-mūrtinā
[kaalenaavyakta-moortinaa]
Word-for-word
viśvam — the material phenomenon vai — certainly brahma — the Supreme tat-mātram — the same as saṁsthitam — situated viṣṇu-māyayā — by the energy of Viṣṇu īśvareṇa — by the Personality of Godhead paricchinnam — separated kālena — by the eternal time avyakta — unmanifested mūrtinā — by such a feature.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
viśvaṁ vai brahma-tan-mātraṁ
viśvam
the material phenomenon
vai
certainly
brahma
the Supreme
tat-mātram
the same as
saṁsthitaṁ viṣṇu-māyayā
saṁsthitam
situated
viṣṇu-māyayā
by the energy of Viṣṇu
īśvareṇa paricchinnaṁ
īśvareṇa
by the Personality of Godhead
paricchinnam
separated
kālenāvyakta-mūrtinā
kālena
by the eternal time
avyakta
unmanifested
mūrtinā
by such a feature.
This cosmic manifestation is separated from the Supreme Lord as material energy by means of kāla, which is the unmanifested, impersonal feature of the Lord. It is situated as the objective manifestation of the Lord under the influence of the same material energy of Viṣṇu.
Purport

As stated previously by Nārada before Vyāsadeva ( Bhāg. 1.5.20 ), idaṁ hi viśvaṁ bhagavān ivetaraḥ: this manifested world is the selfsame Personality of Godhead, but it appears to be something else beyond or besides the Lord. It appears so because of its being separated from the Lord by means of kāla. It is something like the tape-recorded voice of a person who is now separated from the voice. As the tape recording is situated on the tape, so the whole cosmic manifestation is situated on the material energy and appears separate by means of kāla. The material manifestation is therefore the objective manifestation of the Supreme Lord and exhibits His impersonal feature so much adored by impersonalist philosophers.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
This universe which is firmly established by the māyā of Viṣṇu, whose cause is the Lord, is divided into various planets and living beings by time, whose form is invisible, and which is a representative of the Lord’s power. This verse explains that time divides up the universe. Bu the energy of the Lord māyā, this universe is established firmly (saṁṣthitam). Its cause is the Lord. It is divided by time, a form of the Lord’s influence. “Divided” means that it is divided variously as described above. Its form is invisible. This explains the term “without particular attributes” in the previous verse.
Related values & verses
Related verses
SB 1.5.20
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
The verse describes layered cosmic machinery — modes, elements, governing demigods — to remind us that even our 'private' lives are arranged by larger hands. The pivot here is cosmic manifestation.
Reflection Questions
  • How does it change your day to remember the universe was not built around your preferences?
  • How could awe of the creation become a daily practice and not just a Sunday feeling?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

← Read full Chapter 10