It is natural for a philosophical mind to seek the origin of creation. When a person sees the stars at night, they naturally speculate about their inhabitants. Such inquiries are natural for humans because they possess a developed consciousness higher than that of animals. The author of the Srimad-Bhagavatam provides a direct answer to these inquiries: Lord Sri Krishna is the origin of all creations. He is not only the creator of the universe but also its destroyer. The manifested cosmic nature is created at a certain period by the will of the Lord, maintained for some time, and then annihilated by His will. Therefore, the supreme will is behind all cosmic activities. Atheists of various categories may not believe in a creator, but that is due to a lack of knowledge. For example, modern scientists have created space satellites, which are controlled from afar. Similarly, all the universes with innumerable stars and planets are controlled by the intelligence of the Personality of Godhead.

In Vedic literature, it is said that the Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead, is the chief among all living personalities. All living beings, from the first created being, Brahma, down to the smallest ant, are individual entities. Above Brahma, there are even other beings with individual capacities, and the Personality of Godhead is also a similar living being. However, the Supreme Lord possesses the greatest intelligence and supermost inconceivable energies of all different varieties.

Srimad-Bhagavatam narrates the svarupa (true form) of the Lord manifested by His internal potency, distinguished from the external potency that has manifested the cosmic world. Srila Vyasadeva makes a clear distinction between the two. He says that the manifested internal potency is real, whereas the external manifested energy in the form of material existence is only temporary and illusory, like a mirage in the desert. The cosmic creation appears as reality, but true reality exists in the spiritual world. The Absolute Truth is in the spiritual sky, not the material sky. In the material sky, everything is relative, meaning one truth depends on something else. The cosmic creation results from the interaction of the three modes of nature, and the temporary manifestations present an illusion of reality to the bewildered mind of the conditioned soul, which appears in many species, including higher demigods like Brahma, Indra, Chandra, and so on. In actuality, there is no reality in the manifested world. The appearance of reality is due to the true reality existing in the spiritual world, where the Personality of Godhead eternally exists with His transcendental paraphernalia.

The chief engineer of a complex construction project does not personally take part in the construction, but he knows every detail because everything is done under his direction. Similarly, the Personality of Godhead, the supreme engineer of this cosmic creation, knows every detail, although affairs are carried out by demigods. From Brahma down to the insignificant ant, no one is independent in the material creation. The hand of the Lord is seen everywhere. All material elements and spiritual sparks emanate from Him. Whatever is created in this material world results from the interaction of material and spiritual energies, which emanate from the Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna. A chemist can manufacture water in a laboratory by mixing hydrogen and oxygen, but the living entity works under the direction of the Supreme Lord, and the materials with which he works are also supplied by the Lord. The Lord knows everything directly and indirectly, is cognizant of all details, and is fully independent. He is compared to a mine of gold, and the cosmic creations in various forms are like objects made from gold, such as rings and necklaces. The gold ring and necklace are qualitatively one with the gold in the mine, but quantitatively the gold in the mine is different. Therefore, the Absolute Truth is simultaneously one and different. Nothing is absolutely equal to the Absolute Truth, but nothing is independent of it.

Unless one surrenders to the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, they will be bewildered. When an intelligent person surrenders to the lotus feet of Krishna and understands completely that Krishna is the cause of all causes, as confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita, only then can such a person become a mahatma, or great soul. However, such a great soul is rarely seen. Only the mahatmas understand that the Supreme Lord is the primeval cause of all creations. He is parama, or ultimate truth, because all other truths are relative to Him. He is omniscient and free from illusion.

Srimad-Bhagavatam, 1st Canto, 1:1 Purport states:

“The Lord’s proprietorship over everything within the universe is confirmed in the Seventh Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita (7.4-5), where para and apara prakriti are discussed. The elements of nature — earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence, and ego — all belong to the Lord’s inferior, material energy (apara prakriti), whereas the living being, the organic energy, is His superior energy (para prakriti). Both of these prakritis, or energies, are emanations from the Lord, and ultimately He is the controller of everything that exists. There is nothing in the universe that does not belong to either the para or the apara prakriti; therefore, everything is the property of the Supreme Being.

Because the Supreme Being, the Absolute Personality of Godhead, is the complete person, He has complete and perfect intelligence to adjust everything by means of His different potencies. The Supreme Being is often compared to a fire, and everything organic and inorganic is compared to the heat and light of that fire. Just as fire distributes energy in the form of heat and light, the Lord displays His energy in different ways. He thus remains the ultimate controller, sustainer, and dictator of everything. He is the possessor of all potencies, the knower of everything, and the benefactor of everyone. He is full of inconceivable opulence, power, fame, beauty, knowledge, and renunciation.” This understanding of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, as the ultimate cause, controller, and sustainer of all, both materially and spiritually, is crucial for realizing who God truly is.

Summary:

The article emphasizes the importance of recognizing Lord Sri Krishna as the origin, sustainer, and destroyer of all creation. According to the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Krishna is the ultimate cause behind the universe, and all activities are carried out under His will. The Vedic literature, saints, and scriptures consistently identify the Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna, as possessing supreme intelligence and inconceivable energies. The material world, created by His external potency, is temporary and illusory, while true reality exists in the spiritual world, manifested by His internal potency. The article draws an analogy between Krishna’s creation and a chief engineer’s construction project, illustrating that although Krishna is not directly involved in every detail, everything operates under His direction. Ultimately, surrendering to Krishna and understanding Him as the cause of all causes is essential for spiritual enlightenment.

Important Points:

• Supreme Origin: Lord Sri Krishna is the origin, sustainer, and destroyer of all creation.
• Vedic Authority: Vedic literature and scriptures affirm Krishna as the supreme cause and the chief among all living beings.
• Material and Spiritual Worlds: The material world is temporary and illusory, whereas true reality exists in the spiritual world.
• Cosmic Control: Krishna, like a chief engineer, directs the cosmic creation, though the work is carried out by demigods.
• Inconceivable Energies: Krishna possesses the greatest intelligence and inconceivable energies, making Him the ultimate controller.
• Analogy of Fire: Krishna is compared to a fire, with His energies spreading like heat and light.
• Para and Apara Prakriti: The material energy (apara prakriti) and the superior, living energy (para prakriti) both emanate from Krishna.
• Surrender for Enlightenment: Surrendering to Krishna’s lotus feet is crucial for understanding the ultimate truth and achieving spiritual enlightenment.
• Mahatma: A great soul who recognizes Krishna as the cause of all causes is rare and highly revered.
• Inherent Oneness and Difference: The material world and living beings are qualitatively one with Krishna but quantitatively different.