SB 12.7.20

SB 12.7.20

Devanagari

पदार्थेषु यथा द्रव्यं सन्मात्रं रूपनामसु । बीजादिपञ्चतान्तासु ह्यवस्थासु युतायुतम् ॥ २० ॥

Verse text

padārtheṣu yathā dravyaṁ san-mātraṁ rūpa-nāmasu bījādi-paṣcatāntāsu hy avasthāsu yutāyutam

Synonyms

pada artheṣu — within material objects ; yathā just as ; dravyam the basic substance ; sat mātram — the sheer existence of things ; rūpa nāmasu — among their forms and names ; bīja ādi — beginning from the seed (i.e., from the time of conception) ; paṣcatā antāsu — ending with death ; hi indeed ; avasthāsu throughout the various phases of bodily existence ; yuta ayutam — both conjoined and separate .

Translation

Although a material object may assume various forms and names, its essential ingredient is always present as the basis of its existence. Similarly, both conjointly and separately, the Supreme Absolute Truth is always present with the created material body throughout its phases of existence, beginning with conception and ending with death.

Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

Just as earth is present in a pot and also exists outside the pot, just as sense objects exist in objects with name and form and also exist beyond them, that entity which exists in all states of the body from conception to death is called apāśraya. This is explained with an example. A material like earth is present in an object like a pot and is separate as well, since it exists beyond the pot. In objects with name and form, sense objects like fragrance as well as their cause, ahaṅkāra in tamas, are present in the objects, and are also beyond the objects. In all states of the body from impregnation to death, that which is present as the controller and witness, and is also separate, is called apāśraya.

Purport

Moist clay can be molded into various shapes and named “waterpot,” “flowerpot” or “storage pot.” Despite the various names and forms, the essential ingredient, earth, is constantly present. Similarly, the Supreme Lord is present throughout a material body’s stages of bodily existence. The Lord is identical with material nature, being its ultimate generating source. At the same time, the unique Supreme Being exists separately, aloof in His own abode.