198 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 3, Ch. 5

example, the sky is the cause of air. The sky has only one quality,
namely sound, but by the interaction of the sky with the glance of the
Lord, mixed with eternal time and external nature, the air is produced,
which has two qualities—-sound and touch. Similarly after the air is
created, interaction of sky and air, touched by time and the external
energy of the Lord, produces electricity. And after the interaction of
electricity with air and sky, mixed with time, external energy and the
Lord’s glance over them, the water is produced. In the final stage of sky
there is one quality, namely sound; in the air two qualities, sound and
touch; in the electricity three qualities, namely sound, touch and form;
in the water four qualities, sound, touch, form and taste; and in the last
stage of physical development the result is earth, which has all five
qualities—sound, touch, form, taste and smell. Although they are
different mixtures of different materials, such mixtures do not take place
automatically, just as a mixture of colors does not take place automatically
without the touch of the living painter. The automatic system is factually
activated by the glancing touch of the Lord. Living consciousness is the
final word in all physical changes. This fact is mentioned in Bhagavad-gita
as follows:

mayadh yaksena prakrtih suyate sacaracaram
hetunanena kaunteya jagad viparivartate (Bg. 9.10)

The conclusion is that the physical elements may work very wonderfully
to the laymen’s eyes, but their workings actually take place under the
supervision of the Lord. Those who can mark only the changes of the
physical elements and cannot perceive the hidden hands of the Lord
behind them are certainly less intelligent persons, although they may be
advertised as great material scientists.

TEXT 37

qerat aa aetat TERA |
at wgdantaaniel? qu fiz: 29
bhutanam nabha adinam
yad yad bhavyavara-varam
tesam paranusamsargad-
yatha sankhyam gunan viduh

bhutanam—of all the physical elements; nabhah—the sky; adinam—
beginning from; yat—as; yat—and as; bhavya—O gentle one; avara—inferior;
