Madhya20.277

TEXT 277

sarva tattva mili’ srjila brahmandera gana

ananta brahmanda, tara nahika ganana

SYNONYMS

sarva tattva—all different elements; mili’-combining; srjila—created; brahmandera gana—all the universes; ananta brahmanda—those universes are unlimited in number; tara nahika ganana—there is no possibility of counting them.

TRANSLATION

"Combining all the different elements, the Supreme Lord created all the universes. Those universes are unlimited in number; there is no possibility of counting them.

Madhya20.278

TEXT 278

inho mahat-srasta purusa--’maha-visnu’ nama

ananta brahmanda tanra loma-kupe dhama

SYNONYMS

inho—He; mahat-srasta—the creator of the mahat-tattva, or total material energy; purusa—the person; maha-visnu nama—called Lord Maha-Visnu; ananta—unlimited; brahmanda—universes; tanra—of His body; loma-kupe—within the hair holes; dhama—are situated.

TRANSLATION

"The first form of Lord Visnu is called Maha-Visnu. He is the original creator of the total material energy. The innumerable universes emanate from the pores of His body.

Madhya20.279-280

TEXTS 279-280

gavakse udiya yaiche renu ase yaya

purusa-nisvasa-saha brahmanda bahiraya

punarapi nisvasa-saha yaya abhyantara

ananta aisvarya tanra, saba--maya-para

SYNONYMS

gavakse—from a hole at the top of a wall; udiya—floating; yaiche—as; renu—atomic particles; ase yaya—come and go; purusa-nisvasa-saha—with the exhaling of Maha-Visnu; brahmanda—the universes; bahiraya—come outside; punarapi—again; nisvasa-saha—by His inhalation; yaya—go; abhyantara—within; ananta—unlimited; aisvarya—opulences; tanra—of Him; saba—everything; maya-para—beyond the material conception.

TRANSLATION

"These universes are understood to be floating in air as the Maha-Visnu exhales. They are like atomic particles that float in sunshine and pass through the holes of a screen. All these universes are thus created by the exhalation of Maha-Visnu, and when Maha-Visnu inhales, they return to His body. The unlimited opulences of Maha-Visnu are completely beyond material conception.

Madhya20.281

TEXT 281

yasyaika-nisvasita-kalam athavalambya

jivanti loma-vilaja jagad-anda-nathah

visnur mahan sa iha yasya kala-viseso

govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

SYNONYMS

yasya—whose; eka—one; nisvasita—of breath; kalam—time; atha—thus; avalambya—taking shelter of; jivanti—live; loma-vilajah—grown from the hair holes; jagat-anda-nathah—the masters of the universes (the Brahmas); visnuh mahan—the Supreme Lord Maha-Visnu; sah—that; iha—here; yasya—whose; kala-visesah—particular plenary portion or expansion; govindam—Lord Govinda; adi-purusam—the original person; tam—Him; aham—I; bhajami—worship.

TRANSLATION

" ’The Brahmas and other lords of the mundane worlds appear from the pores of the Maha-Visnu and remain alive for the duration of His one exhalation. I adore the primeval Lord, Govinda, for Maha-Visnu is a portion of His plenary portion.’

PURPORT

Madhya20.282

TEXT 282

samasta brahmanda-ganera inho antaryami

karanabdhisayi--saba jagatera svami

SYNONYMS

samasta brahmanda-ganera—of the aggregate of the brahmandas, or universes; inho—that Lord Maha-Visnu; antaryami—the Supersoul; karana-abdhi-sayi—Lord Maha-Visnu, lying on the Causal Ocean; saba jagatera—of all the universes; svami—the Supreme Lord.

TRANSLATION

"Maha-Visnu is the Supersoul of all the universes. Lying on the Causal Ocean, He is the master of all material worlds.

Madhya20.283

TEXT 283

eita kahilun prathama purusera tattva

dvitiya purusera ebe sunaha mahattva

SYNONYMS

eita—thus; kahilun—I have explained; prathama purusera—of the first incarnation of the Personality of Godhead; tattva—the truth; dvitiya purusera—of the second incarnation of the Personality of Godhead; ebe—now; sunaha—please hear; mahattva—glories.

TRANSLATION

"I have thus explained the truth of the first Personality of Godhead, Maha Visnu. I shall now explain the glories of the second Personality of Godhead.

Madhya20.284

TEXT 284

sei purusa ananta-koti brahmanda srjiya

ekaika-murtye pravesila bahu murti hana

SYNONYMS

sei purusa—that Personality of Godhead, Maha-Visnu; ananta-koti brahmanda—millions and trillions of brahmandas, or universes; srjiya—after creating; eka-eka—in each one of them; murtye—in a form; pravesila—entered; bahu murti hana—becoming many forms.

TRANSLATION

"After creating the total number of universes, which are unlimited, the Maha-Visnu expanded Himself into unlimited forms and entered into each of them.

Madhya20.285

TEXT 285

pravesa kariya dekhe, saba--andhakara

rahite nahika sthana, karila vicara

SYNONYMS

pravesa kariya—after entering; dekhe—He sees; saba—everywhere; andhakara—complete darkness; rahite—to remain there; nahika sthana—there was no place; karila vicara—then He considered.

TRANSLATION

"When Maha-Visnu entered each of the limitless universes, He saw that there was darkness all around and that there was no place to stay. He therefore began to consider the situation.

Madhya20.286

TEXT 286

nijanga-sveda-jale brahmandardha bharila

sei jale sesa-sayyaya sayana karila

SYNONYMS

nija-anga—from His own personal body; sveda-jale—by emitting the water of perspiration; brahmanda-ardha—half of the universe; bharila—filled; sei jale—on that water; sesa-sayyaya—on the bed of Lord Sesa; sayana karila—lay down.

TRANSLATION

"With the perspiration produced from His own body, the Lord filled half the universe with water. He then lay down on that water on the bed of Lord Sesa.

Madhya20.287

TEXT 287

tanra nabhi-padma haite uthila eka padma

sei padme ha-ila brahmara janma-sadma

SYNONYMS

tanra nabhi-padma haite—from His lotus navel; uthila—grew; eka—one; padma—lotus flower; sei padme—on that lotus flower; ha-ila—there was; brahmara—of Lord Brahma; janma-sadma—the place of generation.

TRANSLATION

"A lotus flower then sprouted from the lotus navel of that Garbhodakasayi Visnu. That lotus flower became Lord Brahma’s birthplace.

Madhya20.288

TEXT 288

sei padma-nale ha-ila caudda bhuvana

tenho ’brahma’ hana srsti karila srjana

SYNONYMS

sei padma-nale—within the stem of that lotus; ha-ila—became manifested; caudda—fourteen; bhuvana—planetary systems; tenho—He; brahma—Lord Brahma; hana—having become; srsti—the material creation; karila srjana—created.

TRANSLATION

"In the stem of that lotus flower the fourteen worlds were generated. Then He became Lord Brahma and created the entire universe.

Madhya20.289

TEXT 289

’visnu’-rupa hana kare jagat palane

gunatita visnu--sparsa nahi maya-sane

SYNONYMS

visnu-rupa—Lord Krsna in His form as Visnu; hana—becoming; kare—does; jagat palane—maintenance of the material world; guna-atita—beyond the material qualities, transcendental; visnu—Lord Visnu; sparsa—touching; nahi—there is not; maya-sane—with maya, the material energy.

TRANSLATION

"In this way, the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His form of Visnu maintains the entire material world. Since He is always beyond the material qualities, the material nature cannot touch Him.

PURPORT

The influence of the material energy cannot touch Lord Visnu as she touches Lord Brahma and Lord Siva. Therefore it is said that Lord Visnu is transcendental to the material qualities. The incarnations of the material qualities-Lord Siva and Lord Brahma-are under the jurisdiction of the external energy. Lord Visnu, however, is different. In the mantras of the Rg Veda it is said: om tad visnoh paramam padam (Rg Veda-samhita 1.22.20). The words paramam padam indicate that He is transcendental to the material qualities. Because Lord Visnu is not within the jurisdiction of the material qualities, He is always superior to the living entities who are controlled by material energy. This is one of the differences between the Supreme Lord and the living entities. Lord Brahma is a very powerful living entity, and Lord Siva is even more powerful. Therefore Lord Siva is not accepted as a living entity, but at the same time is not considered to be on the level of Lord Visnu.

Madhya20.290

TEXT 290

’rudra’-rupa dhari kare jagat samhara

srsti, sthiti, pralaya haya icchaya yanhara

SYNONYMS

rudra-rupa dhari—accepting the form of Lord Siva; kare—performs; jagat samhara—dissolution of the universal creation; srsti—creation; sthiti—maintenance; pralaya—and dissolution; haya—take place; icchaya—by the will; yanhara—of whom.

TRANSLATION

"The Supreme Lord, and His form of Rudra [Lord Siva], brings about the dissolution of this material creation. In other words, by His will only, there is creation, maintenance and dissolution of the whole cosmic manifestation.

Madhya20.291

TEXT 291

brahma, visnu, siva--tanra guna-avatara

srsti-sthiti-pralayera tinera adhikara

SYNONYMS

brahma—Lord Brahma; visnu—Lord Visnu; siva—Lord Siva; tanra—of Garbhodakasayi Visnu; guna-avatara—incarnations of the material qualities; srsti-sthiti-pralayera—of the three functions, namely creation, maintenance and dissolution; tinera adhikara—there is control by the three deities (Lord Brahma, Lord Visnu and Lord Siva).

TRANSLATION

"Brahma, Visnu and Siva are His three incarnations of the material qualities. Creation, maintenance and destruction respectively are under the charge of these three personalities.

Madhya20.292

TEXT 292

hiranyagarbha-antaryami--garbhodakasayi

’sahasra-sirsadi’ kari’ vede yanre gai

SYNONYMS

hiranyagarbha—named Hiranyagarbha; antaryami—the Supersoul; garbha-udaka-sayi—Lord Garbhodakasayi Visnu; sahasra-sirsa-adi kari’-by the Vedic hymns beginning with sahasra-sirsa (Rg Veda-samhita 10.90); vede yanre ga-i—unto whom the Vedas pray.

TRANSLATION

"Garbhodakasayi Visnu, known within the universe as Hiranyagarbha and the antaryami, or Supersoul, is glorified in the Vedic hymns, beginning with the hymn that starts with the word sahasra-sirsa.

Madhya20.293

TEXT 293

ei ta’ dvitiya-purusa--brahmandera isvara

mayara ’asraya’ haya, tabu maya-para

SYNONYMS

ei ta’—in this way; dvitiya-purusa—the second Personality of Godhead; brahmandera isvara—the master of the universe; mayara—of the external, material energy; asraya haya—becomes the shelter; tabu—still; maya-para—is beyond the touch of the material energy.

TRANSLATION

"This second Personality of Godhead, known as Garbhodakasayi Visnu, is the master of each and every universe and the shelter of the external energy. Nonetheless, He remains beyond the touch of the external energy.

Madhya20.294

TEXT 294

trtiya-purusa visnu--’guna-avatara’

dui avatara-bhitara ganana tanhara

SYNONYMS

trtiya-purusa—the third Personality; visnu—Lord Visnu; guna-avatara—the incarnation of the material quality of goodness; dui avatara-bhitara—within the two incarnations; ganana-tanhara—He is designated.

TRANSLATION

"The third expansion of Visnu is the Ksirodakasayi Visnu, who is the incarnation of the quality of goodness. He is to be counted within the two types of incarnations [purusa-avataras and guna-avataras].

Madhya20.295

TEXT 295

virat vyasti-jivera tenho antaryami

ksirodakasayi tenho--palana-karta, svami

SYNONYMS

virat—the universal form; vyasti-jivera—of all other living entities; tenho—He; antaryami—the Supersoul; ksira-udaka-sayi—Lord Visnu who lies down in the ocean of milk; tenho—He; palana-karta—the maintainer; svami—the master.

TRANSLATION

"This Ksirodakasayi Visnu is the universal form of the Lord and is the Supersoul within every living entity. He is known as Ksirodakasayi, or the Lord who lies on the ocean of milk. He is the maintainer and master of the universe.

Madhya20.296

TEXT 296

purusavatarera ei kailun nirupana

lilavatara ebe suna, sanatana

SYNONYMS

purusa-avatarera—of all the purusa-avataras; ei—this; kailun nirupana—I have described; lila-avatara—incarnations for pastimes; ebe—now; suna—please hear; sanatana—O Sanatana.

TRANSLATION

"O Sanatana, I have definitively described the three purusa-avataras of Visnu. Now please hear from Me about the pastime incarnations.

Madhya20.297

TEXT 297

lilavatara krsnera na yaya ganana

pradhana kariya kahi dig-darasana

SYNONYMS

lila-avatara—incarnations for pastimes; krsnera—of Lord Krsna; na yaya ganana—are not countable; pradhana kariya—chiefly; kahi—let me describe; dik-darasana—by a sample direction.

TRANSLATION

"No one can count the innumerable pastime incarnations of Lord Krsna, but I shall describe the principal ones.

Madhya20.298

TEXT 298

matsya, kurma, raghunatha, nrsimha, vamana

varahadi--lekha yanra na yaya ganana

SYNONYMS

matsya—the fish incarnation; kurma—the tortoise incarnation; raghunatha—Lord Ramacandra; nrsimha—the man-lion incarnation; vamana—the dwarf incarnation; varaha-adi—the hog incarnation and others; lekha—describing; yanra—of which incarnations; na yaya ganana—cannot be counted.

TRANSLATION

"Some of the pastime incarnations are the fish incarnation, the tortoise incarnation, Lord Ramacandra, Lord Nrsimha, Lord Vamana, and Lord Varaha. There is no end to them.

Madhya20.299

TEXT 299

matsyasva-kacchapa-nrsimha-varaha-hamsa-

rajanya-vipra-vibudhesu krtavatarah

tvam pasi nas tribhuvanam ca tathadhunesa

bharam bhuvo hara yaduttama vandanam te

SYNONYMS

matsya—in the forms of a fish; asva—of a horse; kacchapa—of a tortoise; nrsimha—of Lord Nrsimhadeva; varaha—of a boar; hamsa—of a swan; rajanya—of Lord Ramacandra; vipra—of Lord Parasurama; vibudhesu—and of Vamanadeva; krta-avatarah—who have accepted incarnation; tvam—You; pasi—please protect; nah—us demigods; tri-bhuvanam ca—and the three worlds; tatha—as well; adhuna—now; isa—O Lord; bharam—the burden; bhuvah—of the universe; hara—kindly take away; yadu-uttama—O best of the Yadu dynasty; vandanam te—to You we offer our prayers.

TRANSLATION

" ’O Lord of the universe, best of the Yadu dynasty, we are offering our prayers unto You mainly to diminish the heavy burden of the universe. Indeed, You diminished this burden formerly by incarnating in the form of a fish, a horse [Hayagriva], a tortoise, a lion [Lord Nrsimha], a boar [Lord Varaha] and a swan. You also incarnated as Lord Ramacandra, Parasurama and Vamana the dwarf. You have always protected us demigods and the universe in this way. Now please continue.’

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.2.40).

Madhya20.300

TEXT 300

lilavatarera kailun dig-darasana

gunavatarera ebe suna vivarana

SYNONYMS

lila-avatarera—of the incarnations of pastimes; kailun—I have done; dik-darasana—indicating the direction only; guna-avatarera—of incarnations of the material qualities; ebe—now; suna vivarana—hear the description.

TRANSLATION

"I have given a few examples of pastime incarnations. Now I will describe the guna-avataras, the incarnations of the material qualities. Please listen.

Madhya20.301

TEXT 301

brahma, visnu, siva,--tina guna avatara

tri-guna angikari’ kare srsty-adi-vyavahara

SYNONYMS

brahma, visnu, siva—Lord Brahma, Lord Visnu and Lord Siva; tina—three; guna avatara—the incarnations of the material qualities; tri-guna—the three qualities of material nature; angikari’-accepting; kare—does; srsti-adi-vyavahara—transactions in reference to the creation, maintenance and dissolution.

TRANSLATION

"There are three functions within this material world. Everything here is created, everything is maintained for some time, and everything is finally dissolved. The Lord therefore incarnates Himself as the controllers of the three qualities-sattva-guna, rajo-guna and tamo-guna [goodness, passion and ignorance]. Thus the transactions of the material world take place.

Madhya20.302

TEXT 302

bhakti-misra-krta-punye kona jivottama

rajo-gune vibhavita kari’ tanra mana

SYNONYMS

bhakti-misra-krta-punye—because of pious activities mixed with devotional service; kona—someone; jiva-uttama—the best of the living entities; rajah-gune—by the mode of passion; vibhavita—influenced; kari’-making; tanra—his; mana—mind.

TRANSLATION

"Because of his past pious activities mixed with devotional service, the first-class living entity is influenced by the mode of passion within his mind.

Madhya20.303

TEXT 303

garbhodakasayi-dvara sakti sancari’

vyasti srsti kare krsna brahma-rupa dhari’

SYNONYMS

garbha-udaka-sayi-dvara—by Lord Garbhodakasayi Visnu; sakti sancari’-giving him special powers; vyasti—total; srsti—creation; kare—does; krsna—Lord Krsna; brahma-rupa dhari’-accepting the form of Lord Brahma.

TRANSLATION

"Such a devotee is empowered by Garbhodakasayi Visnu. In this way, an incarnation of Krsna in the form of Brahma engineers the total creation of the universe.

PURPORT

The Garbhodakasayi Visnu purusa-avatara expansion of Lord Visnu accepts the material modes-sattva-guna, rajo-guna and tamo-guna-and thus incarnates as Lord Visnu, Brahma and Siva. These are incarnations of the material qualities. Among the many superior living entities qualified with pious activities and devotional service, one, called Lord Brahma, is infused with the quality of passion by the supreme will of Garbhodakasayi Visnu. Thus Lord Brahma becomes the incarnation of the creative energy of the Lord.

Madhya20.304

TEXT 304

bhasvan yathasma-sakalesu nijesu tejah

sviyam kiyat prakatayaty api tadvad atra

brahma ya esa jagad-anda-vidhana-karta

govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

SYNONYMS

bhasvan—the illuminating sun; yatha—as; asma-sakalesu—in various types of precious stones; nijesu—his own; tejah—brilliance; sviyam—his own; kiyat—to some extent; prakatayati—manifests; api—also; tadvat—similarly; atra—here; brahma—Lord Brahma; yah—who is; esah—the Lord; jagat-anda-vidhana-karta—becomes the chief of the universe; govindam adi-purusam—Lord Govinda, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead; tam—Him; aham—I; bhajami—worship.

TRANSLATION

" ’The sun manifests his brilliance in a gem, although it is stone. Similarly, the original Personality of Godhead, Govinda, manifests His special power in a pious living entity. Thus the living entity becomes Brahma and manages the affairs of the universe. Let me worship Govinda, the original Personality of Godhead.’

PURPORT

Madhya20.305

TEXT 305

kona kalpe yadi yogya jiva nahi paya

apane isvara tabe amse ’brahma’ haya

SYNONYMS

kona kalpe—in some lifetime of Brahma; yadi—if; yogya—suitable; jiva—living entity; nahi—not; paya—is available; apane—personally; isvara—the Supreme Lord; tabe—then; amse—by His plenary expansion; brahma haya—becomes Lord Brahma.

TRANSLATION

"If in a kalpa a suitable living entity is not available to take charge of Brahma’s post, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself personally expands and becomes Lord Brahma.

PURPORT

One day of Brahma consists of the four yugas multiplied a thousand times-or, according to solar calculations, 4,320,000,000 years-and such also is the duration of his night. One year of Brahma’s life consists of 360 days and nights, and Brahma lives for one hundred such years. Such is the life of a Brahma.

Madhya20.306

TEXT 306

yasyanghri-pankaja-rajo ’khila-loka-palair

mauly-uttamair dhrtam upasita-tirtha-tirtham

brahma bhavo ’ham api yasya kalah kalayah

sris codvahema ciram asya nrpasanam kva

SYNONYMS

yasya—whose; anghri-pankaja—lotuslike feet; rajah—the dust; akhila-loka—of the universal planetary systems; palaih—by the masters; mauli-uttamaih—with valuable turbans on their heads; dhrtam—accepted; upasita—worshiped; tirtha-tirtham—the sanctifier of the holy places; brahma—Lord Brahma; bhavah—Lord Siva; aham api—even I; yasya—of whom; kalah—portions; kalayah—of a plenary portion; srih—the goddess of fortune; ca—and; udvahema—we carry; ciram—eternally; asya—of Him; nrpa-asanam—the throne of a king; kva—where.

TRANSLATION

" ’What is the value of a throne to Lord Krsna? The masters of the various planetary systems accept the dust of His lotus feet on their crowned heads. That dust makes the holy places sacred, and even Lord Brahma, Lord Siva, Laksmi and I myself, who are all portions of His plenary portion, eternally carry that dust on our heads.’

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.68.37). When the Kauravas flattered Baladeva so that He would become their ally and spoke ill of Sri Krsna, Lord Baladeva was angry and spoke this verse.

Madhya20.307

TEXT 307

nijamsa-kalaya krsna tamo-guna angikari’

samhararthe maya-sange rudra-rupa dhari

SYNONYMS

nija-amsa—of His personal plenary expansion; kalaya—by an expansion known as kala; krsna—Lord Krsna; tamah-guna—the material mode of darkness; angikari’-accepting; samhara-arthe—for the purpose of dissolution; maya-sange—in association with the external energy; rudra-rupa—the form of Rudra; dhari—assumes.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, expands a portion of His plenary portion and, accepting the association of the material mode of ignorance, assumes the form of Rudra to dissolve the cosmic manifestation.

PURPORT

This is a description of the Rudra form, which is another expansion of Krsna. Only visnu-murtis are expansions of Krsna’s personal and plenary portions. Maha Visnu, who lies on the Causal Ocean, is an expansion of Sankarsana. When Garbhodakasayi Visnu accepts the material modes of nature for the purpose of dissolving the cosmic manifestation, His form is called Rudra. As already explained, Lord Visnu is the controller of maya. How, then, can He associate with maya? The conclusion is that the incarnation of Lord Siva or Lord Brahma indicates the absence of the supreme power of Visnu. When the supreme power is not there, it is possible to associate with maya, the external energy. Lord Brahma and Lord Siva are to be considered creations of maya.

Madhya20.308

TEXT 308

maya-sanga-vikari rudra--bhinnabhinna rupa

jiva-tattva nahe, nahe krsnera ’svarupa’

SYNONYMS

maya-sanga—by association with maya; vikari—transformed; rudra—the form of Rudra; bhinna-abhinna rupa—having different types of forms; jiva-tattva nahe—still he is not called jiva-tattva; nahe—nor; krsnera—of Lord Krsna; sva-rupa—personal form.

TRANSLATION

"Rudra, Lord Siva, has various forms, which are transformations brought about by association with maya. Although Rudra is not on a level with the jiva-tattvas, he still cannot be considered a personal expansion of Lord Krsna.

PURPORT

Rudra is simultaneously one with and different from the visnu-tattva. Due to his association with maya, he is different from the visnu-tattva, but at the same time he is an expansion of Krsna’s personal form. This situation is called bhedabheda-tattva, or acintya-bhedabheda-tattva, simultaneously one and different.

Madhya20.309

TEXT 309

dugdha yena amla-yoge dadhi-rupa dhare

dugdhantara vastu nahe, dugdha haite nare

SYNONYMS

dugdha—milk; yena—as; amla:yoge—in association with a sour substance; dadhi-rupa—the form of yogurt; dhare—takes; dugdha-antara—something other than milk; vastu—substance; nahe—is not; dugdha—milk; haite—to be; nare—is not able.

TRANSLATION

"Milk is transformed into yogurt when it associates with a yogurt culture. Thus yogurt is nothing but milk, but still it is not milk.

PURPORT

Of the three deities supervising the creation, maintenance and dissolution of the universe, Lord Visnu is never separate from the original Visnu. However, Lord Siva and Brahma, due to their association with maya, are different from Visnu. Visnu cannot be transformed into any form of material energy. Whenever there is association with maya, the personality involved must be different from Lord Visnu. Therefore Lord Siva and Lord Brahma are called guna-avataras, for they associate with the material qualities. The conclusion is that Rudra is a transformation of Visnu, but he is not exactly Lord Visnu. Therefore, he does not come within the category of the visnu-tattvas. Thus he is inconceivably one with Visnu and different from Him. The example given in this verse is very clear. Milk is compared to Visnu. As soon as milk touches a sour substance, it becomes yogurt, or Lord Siva. Although yogurt is constitutionally milk it cannot be used in place of milk.

Madhya20.310

TEXT 310

ksiram yatha dadhi vikara-visesa-yogat

sanjayate na tu tatah prthag asti hetoh

yah sambhutam api tatha samupaiti karyad

govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

SYNONYMS

ksiram—milk; yatha—as; dadhi—yogurt; vikara-visesa—with a special transforming agent; yogat—by mixing; sanjayate—is transformed into; na—not; tu—but; tatah—from the milk; prthak—separated; asti—is; hetoh—which is the cause; yah—who; sambhutam—the nature of Lord Siva; api—even though; tatha—as; samupaiti—accepts; karyat—from the matter of some particular business; govindam—unto Govinda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; adi-purusam—the original person; tam—unto Him; aham—I; bhajami—offer my respectful obeisances.

TRANSLATION

" ’Milk changes into yogurt when mixed with a yogurt culture, but actually it is constitutionally nothing but milk. Similarly, Govinda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, assumes the form of Lord Siva [Sambhu] for the special purpose of material transactions. I offer my obeisances at His lotus feet.’

PURPORT

Madhya20.311

TEXT 311

’siva’--maya-sakti-sangi, tamo-guna vesa

mayatita, gunatita ’visnu’--paramesa

SYNONYMS

siva—Lord Siva; maya-sakti-sangi—an associate of the external energy; tamah-guna-avesa—absorbed by the quality of ignorance; maya-atita—transcendental to the external energy; guna-atita—transcendental to the qualities of matter; visnu—Visnu; parama-isa—the Supreme Lord.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Siva is an associate of the external energy; therefore he is absorbed in the material quality of darkness. Lord Visnu is transcendental to maya and the qualities of maya. Therefore He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

PURPORT

Visnu is beyond the range of the material manifestation, and He is not within the control of the material energy. He is the supreme independent Personality of Godhead. This is even admitted by Sankaracarya: narayanah paro ’vyaktat (Gita-bhasya). In his constitutional form, Siva is a maha-bhagavata, a supreme devotee of the Lord, but because he accepts maya’s association-especially the quality of ignorance-he is not free from maya’s influence. Such an intimate association is completely absent in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu. Lord Siva accepts maya, but in the presence of Lord Visnu, maya does not exist. Consequently Lord Siva has to be considered a product of maya. When Lord Siva is free from maya’s influence, he is in the position of a maha-bhagavata, a supreme devotee of Lord Visnu. Vaisnavanam yatha sambhuh.

Madhya20.312

TEXT 312

sivah sakti-yuktah sasvat

trilingo guna-samvrtah

vaikarikas taijasas ca

tamasas cety aham tridha

SYNONYMS

sivah—Lord Siva; sakti-yuktah—associated with material nature; sasvat—eternally; tri-lingah—in three features; guna-samvrtah—covered by the modes of nature; vaikarikah—one is called vaikarika; taijasah ca—another is called taijasa; tamasah ca—as well as tamasa; iti—thus; aham—egotism; tri-dha—three kinds.

TRANSLATION

" ’The truth about Lord Siva is that he is always covered with three material coverings-vaikarika, taijasa and tamasa. Because of these three modes of material nature, he always associates with the external energy and egotism itself.’

PURPORT

This is a quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.88.3).