etad-yonīni bhūtāni sarvāṇītyupadhāraya
ahaṁ kṛitsnasya jagataḥ prabhavaḥ pralayas tathā
etat yonīni — these two (energies) are the source of;
bhūtāni — living beings;
sarvāṇi — all;
iti — that;
upadhāraya — know;
aham — I;
kṛitsnasya — entire;
jagataḥ — creation;
prabhavaḥ — the source;
pralayaḥ — dissolution;
tathā — and
This verse explains that everything in the universe, both the physical things we can see and the spiritual things that we can't always perceive, comes from a divine source. Think about everything you see around you, like trees, buildings, animals, and even people. These are all made of matter. Now, along with matter, there is also spirit, which represents life and consciousness.
The verse says that the spirit is essential for the creation of matter. For example, when a baby is born, it is not just a body. This baby has a spirit, a soul that brings it to life and makes it grow. As the child grows older, it develops physically, but it is the spirit that is the driving force behind this growth. So, it is not enough to just have a body; there has to be something more profound, which is the spirit that animates the body.
Moreover, the verse tells us that the Supreme Being, referred to as Krishna or God in this context, is the starting point of everything. Think of Krishna as the ultimate source from which everything arises, just like a tree grows from a seed. When we look at the universe, it’s easy to get amazed by its enormity and complexity. This verse reminds us that Krishna, in a way, is responsible for everything we see and experience.
To put it simply, Krishna is not just the creator but also the one who will eventually dissolve or transform everything. You can think of it like a cycle. Just as a plant grows from a seed (origin), it later withers away, returning to the earth (dissolution). In the same way, all things in the universe come from Krishna and will return to Him, completing a natural cycle.
The interpretation also highlights that while individuals can use their spirit or soul to manipulate and create (like building homes, communities, or technologies), they can’t create matter out of thin air. We can use the materials available to us, but the very existence of these materials comes from that divine energy. It's like having the tools to build something but needing the materials to actually create it.
In summary, the verse encourages us to understand that there is a profound connection between spirit and matter, and at the center of this connection is Krishna, who is both the source of everything and the ultimate purpose of existence. Understanding this can help us realize our relationship with the universe and the divine, reminding us that everything is part of a greater whole.