Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, containing within himself the jīvas with their subtle bodies, after having discharged his energy of time to destroy the three worlds, resides in his abode below Pātālaloka within the water, just as fire resides within wood with its energy concealed. What is the position of all the jīvas who were populating the three worlds (Svarga and below)? The subtle bodies of the devatās, men and others in the universe reside within Viṣṇu’s body. How? He has inspired his śakti of time--he has caused destruction by his will. Having destroyed all the gross bodies of the inhabitants of the three worlds by time, he places their subtle bodies within himself. This is called the aggregate subtle body of the jīvas. He reside below Pātālaloka, in his own abode (sve pade), within the one expanse of water, by his power which stops water from entering. Since he is not seen by the inhabitants of Maharloka or higher planets, he is compared to fire within wood.