FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.12.9

एवं निरुक्तं क्षितिशब्दवृत्त- मसन्निधानात्परमाणवो ये । अविद्यया मनसा कल्पितास्ते येषां समूहेन कृतो विशेष: ॥ ९ ॥
evaṁ niruktaṁ kṣiti-śabda-vṛttam
[evam niruktam kshiti-shabda-vrittam]
asan nidhānāt paramāṇavo ye
[asan nidhaanaat paramaanavo ye]
avidyayā manasā kalpitās te
[avidyayaa manasaa kalpitaas te]
yeṣāṁ samūhena kṛto viśeṣaḥ
[yeshaam samoohena krito visheshah]
Word-for-word
evam — thus niruktam — falsely described kṣiti-śabda — of the word “earth” vṛttam — the existence asat — not real nidhānāt — from the dissolution parama-aṇavaḥ — atomic particles ye — all of which avidyayā — because of less intelligence manasā — in the mind kalpitāḥ — imagined te — they yeṣām — of which samūhena — by the aggregate kṛtaḥ — made viśeṣaḥ — the particulars.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
evaṁ niruktaṁ kṣiti-śabda-vṛttam
evam
thus
niruktam
falsely described
kṣiti-śabda
of the word “earth”
vṛttam
the existence
asan nidhānāt paramāṇavo ye
asat
not real
nidhānāt
from the dissolution
parama-aṇavaḥ
atomic particles
ye
all of which
avidyayā manasā kalpitās te
avidyayā
because of less intelligence
manasā
in the mind
kalpitāḥ
imagined
te
they
yeṣāṁ samūhena kṛto viśeṣaḥ
yeṣām
of which
samūhena
by the aggregate
kṛtaḥ
made
viśeṣaḥ
the particulars.
One may say that varieties arise from the planet earth itself. However, although the universe may temporarily appear to be the truth, it ultimately has no real existence. The earth was originally created by a combination of atomic particles, but these particles are impermanent. Actually the atom is not the cause of the universe, although some philosophers think so. It is not a fact that the varieties found in this material world simply result from atomic juxtaposition or combination.
Purport

Those who follow the atomic theory think that the protons and electrons of atoms combine in such a way as to bring all material existence into being. However, the scientists fail to discover the cause of atomic existence itself. Under these circumstances, we cannot accept that the atom is the cause of the universe. Such theories are advanced by unintelligent people. According to real intelligence, the real cause of the cosmic manifestation is the Supreme Lord. Janmādy asya yataḥ: He is the original cause of all creation. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (10.8) : ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate. Kṛṣṇa is the original cause. Sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam: He is the cause of all causes. Kṛṣṇa is the cause of atoms, the material energy.

bhūmir āpo ’nalo vāyuḥ khaṁ mano buddhir eva ca ahaṅkāra itīyaṁ me bhinnā prakṛtir aṣṭadhā

(Bg. 7.4)

The ultimate cause is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and only those in ignorance try to find out other causes by posing different theories.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
What is known by the word “earth” exists in name only because earth is resolved into atomic particles, which are imagined by the mind out of ignorance. Out of their combination, a particular object is made. “Earth at least is real.” The word “earth” exists as a name only. Why? Because it is caused by atomic particles (asat), which are the cause of earth. Earth cannot exist except for these particles. “Then particles are real.” These particles have been imagined by the mind out of ignorance by philosophers, in order to explain the effects in the world we perceive. Therefore particles are also unreal. The reason for this conception is described. A particular object such as earth is made out of the totality of particles. One should accept the total only rather than the parts.
Related values & verses
Related verses
BG 7.4
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Atomic explanations of the universe collapse when pushed: the atoms themselves need a cause. The Lord is the real source, not atoms. Don't be intimidated by mechanistic philosophies that quietly assume what they pretend to explain.
Reflection Questions
  • Which mechanistic explanation have you been treating as final without examining its hidden assumptions?
  • Where could you trust the Lord as primary cause without fearing it makes you anti-scientific?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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