Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 20.318
Lord Viṣṇu Controls the Three Modes
“[Lord Brahmā said:] ‘I am engaged by the Supreme Personality of Godhead to create. Following His orders, Lord Śiva dissolves everything. The Supreme Personality of Godhead in His form of Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu maintains all the affairs of material nature. Thus the supreme controller of the three modes of material nature is Lord Viṣṇu.’
What the purport teaches
- Lord Brahmā is engaged by the Supreme Personality of Godhead to create. Lord Śiva dissolves everything by following His orders.
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead, as Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, maintains all the affairs of material nature.
- Lord Viṣṇu is the supreme controller of the three modes of material nature. Lord Brahmā explains that both his position and Lord Śiva’s position are controlled by Lord Viṣṇu.
Try this today
Write the three functions—creation, dissolution and maintenance—beside the names given in this verse, noting Viṣṇu as the supreme controller.
Ask yourself
How does recognizing Viṣṇu’s control help me understand the roles of Brahmā and Śiva?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.