138 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 1, Ch. 3
middle. Upwards there are other, better planetary systems, and the top-
most system is called Brahmaloka or Satyaloka. Downwards from the
earthly planetary system there are seven downwards planetary systems
domiciled by the asuras and similar other materialistic living beings.

From this Garbhodakasayi Visnu there is expansion of the Ksirodakasayi
Visnu, who is the collective Paramatma of all living beings. He is called
Hari, and from Him all incarnations within the universe are expanded.

Therefore, the conclusion is that the purusa-avatara is manifested in
three features, first the Karanodakasayi who creates aggregate material
ingredients in the mahat-tattva, second the Garbhodakasayi who enters
in each and every universe, and third the Ksirodakasayi Visnu who is the
Paramatma of every material object, organic or inorganic. One who knows
these plenary features of the Personality of Godhead knows also Him
(Godhead) properly, and thus the knower becomes freed from the material
conditions of birth, death, old age and disease, as it is confirmed in
Bhagavad-gita. In this sloka the subject matter of Maha-Visnu is summa-
rized. The Maha-Visnu lies down in some part of the spiritual sky by His
own free will, and thus He les on the ocean of karana from where He
glances over His material nature, and the mahat-tattva is at once created.
Thus electrified by the power of the Lord, the material nature creates at
once innumerable universes just as in due course a tree is decorated with
innumerable grown-up fruits. The seed of the tree is sown by the culti-
vator, and the tree or creeper in due course becomes manifested with so
many fruits. Nothing can take place without a cause. The Karana Ocean
is therefore called the Causal Ocean. Karana means causal. We should not
foolishly accept the atheistic theory of creation. The description of the
atheists is given in the Bhagavad-gita. The atheist does not believe in the
creator, but he cannot give a good theory to explain the creation. Material
nature has no power to create without the power of the purusa, just as a
prakrti or woman cannot produce a child without the connection of a
purusa. The purusa impregnates, and the prakrti delivers. We should not
expect milk from the fleshy bags on the neck of the goat, although they
look like breastly nipples. Similarly, we should not expect any creative
power from the material ingredients; we must believe in the power of the
purusa, who impregnates prakrti or nature. And because the Lord wished
to lie down in meditation, the material energy created innumerable
universes at once, and in each of them the Lord laid Himself down, and
thus all the planets and the different paraphernalia were created at once
by the will of the Lord. The Lord has unlimited potencies, and thus He
can perform as He likes by perfect planning, although personally He has
