412 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 5, Ch. 12

avidyaya manasa kalpitds te
yesam samithena krto visesah

evam—thus; niruktam—falsely described; ksiti-sabda—of the word
“earth”; vrttam—the existence; asat—not real; nidhdndt—from the
dissolution; parama-anavah—atomic particles; ye—all of which;
avidyaya—because of less intelligence; manasd—in the mind;
kalpitah—imagined; te—they; yesam—of which; samihena—by the
aggregate; krtah—made; visesah—the particulars.

TRANSLATION

One may say that varieties arise from the planet earth itself.
However, although the universe may temporarily appear to be the
truth, it ultimately has no real existence. The earth was originally
created by a combination of atomic particles, but these particles
are impermanent. Actually the atom is not the cause of the
universe, although some philosophers think so. It is not a fact that
the varieties found in this material world simply result from
atomic juxtaposition or combination.

PURPORT

Those who follow the atomic theory think that the protons and
electrons of atoms combine in such a way as to bring all material exis-
tence into being. However, the scientists fail to discover the cause of
atomic existence itself. Under these circumstances, we cannot accept that
the atom is the cause of the universe. Such theories are advanced by
unintelligent people. According to real intelligence, the real cause of the
cosmic manifestation is the Supreme Lord. Janmady asya yatah: He is
the original cause of all creation. As stated in Bhagavad-gita (10.8):
aham sarvasya prabhavo mattah sarvam pravartate. Krsna is the origi-
nal cause. Sarva-karana-karanam: He is the cause of all causes. Krsna is
the cause of atoms, the material energy.

bhimir apo ’nalo véayuh
kham mano buddhir eva ca
ahankara itiyam me

bhinna prakrtir astadha (Bg. 7.4)
