FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.12.39

को नु मेऽतितरेन्मायां विषक्तस्त्वद‍ृते पुमान् तांस्तान्विसृजतीं भावान्दुस्तरामकृतात्मभि: ॥ ३९ ॥
ko nu me ’titaren māyāṁ
[ko nu me ’titaren maayaam]
viṣaktas tvad-ṛte pumān
[vishaktas tvad-rite pumaan]
tāṁs tān visṛjatīṁ bhāvān
[taams taan visrijateem bhaavaan]
dustarām akṛtātmabhiḥ
[dustaraam akritaatmabhih]
Word-for-word
kaḥ — what nu — indeed me — My atitaret — can surpass māyām — illusory energy viṣaktaḥ — attached to material sense enjoyment tvat-ṛte — except for you pumān — person tān — such conditions tān — unto the materially attached persons visṛjatīm — in surpassing bhāvān — reactions of material activities dustarām — very difficult to surmount akṛta-ātmabhiḥ — by persons unable to control their senses.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
ko nu me ’titaren māyāṁ
kaḥ
what
nu
indeed
me
My
viṣaktas tvad-ṛte pumān
tāṁs tān visṛjatīṁ bhāvān
atitaret
can surpass
dustarām akṛtātmabhiḥ
māyām
illusory energy
viṣaktaḥ
attached to material sense enjoyment
tvat-ṛte
except for you
pumān
person
tān
such conditions
tān
unto the materially attached persons
visṛjatīm
in surpassing
bhāvān
reactions of material activities
dustarām
very difficult to surmount
akṛta-ātmabhiḥ
by persons unable to control their senses.
My dear Lord Śambhu, 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 — Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara — all but Viṣṇu are under the influence of māyā. In Caitanya-caritāmṛta, they are described as māyī, which means “under māyā’s influence.” But even though Lord Śiva associates with māyā, he is not influenced. The living entities are affected by māyā, but although Lord Śiva apparently associates with māyā, he is not affected. In other words, all living entities within this material world except for Lord Śiva are swayed by māyā. Lord Śiva is therefore neither viṣṇu-tattva nor jīva-tattva. He is between the two.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Except you, what person with material attachment can surpass my illusory energy, difficult to surpass by those with uncontrolled mind, and which creates various conditions of rajas and tamas? You cannot be bewildered by my external energy which bewilders the world. What person, attached to material enjoyment (viṣaktaḥ), can surpass māyā except you? This means that though Śiva became attracted to māyā, he overcame māyā. That māyā creates various states of rajas and tamas (bhāvān) in the form of desire.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Who but you can surpass My illusory energy? People generally are attached and conquered; few can surmount māyā. Śiva is singled out as exceptional. Even our greatest exemplars depend on His permission, not their own strength.
Reflection Questions
  • Whom do I treat as having transcended māyā by their own power?
  • Where do I credit myself with what is actually His allowing me to pass?
📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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