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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 4: Chapter 31: Verses 16-25
The story of the Pracetas
As sunshine has no existence apart from the sun, this (material) creation is (no other than) that (well-known) absolute (unqualified) essence of the Universal Spirit (wherefrom it has evolved), inasmuch as it appears (like a phantom only) at times (and remains out of sight at other times) even as the Indriyas (the senses of perception as well as the organs of action) appear (to function) in the waking state and remain dormant in sound sleep. As a matter of fact, however, (the three modifications of the ego in the shape of) the five gross elements, the five organs of action and the five senses of perception as well as the phantom of diversity arising from it are (ever) absent in Him. Just as clouds, darkness and light appear, 0 rulers of the globe, and disappear in the sky by turns so do the potencies of Brahma in the form of Rajas, Tamas and Sattva appear and then disappear in the Absolute. So does the process (of creation and dissolution) continue uninterrupted. Therefore (since He is the Cause of all), worship you as one with yourselves Sri Hari (the Ruler even of the highest gods, Brahma and others) Himself, the one (undifferentiated) Soul of all embodied existences, who is (the same as) Time (the efficient cause), the Unmanifest (the material cause) and the Supreme Purusa (the doer), and who has by His energy (in the shape of Consciousness) cast out the material creation.By kindness to all living beings, by remaining contented with anything whatsoever and by taming the senses Lord Janardana is soon propitiated. Lured into the heart of pious souls-rid of all cravings and (thus) purged of all dross by their constantly growing devotion-the imperishable Lord surely does not escape from it any more than the ether locked in it, (thereby) proving His amenability to the control of His servants. Sri Hari, who loves the destitute looking upon Him as their (only) wealth, and knows the bliss inherent in Devotion, does not accept the worship of those foolish men who through their pride of learning, affluence, pedigree and (remarkable) deeds show disrespect to such destitute devotees. How can a man who has any sense of gratitude in him give up even for a while (the thought of) Him who has no regard (even) for Sri (the goddess of beauty and prosperity and His own Consort)-even though She (ever) waits on Him-much less for kings (rulers of men) and gods seeking Her favour-inasmuch as He is perfect in Himself---but who is (nonetheless) subject to the will of His servants ? Maitreya resumed : Having thus told the Pracetas what has been reproduced just now and discoursed on other topics relating to the Lord, O Vidura, the sage Narada (son of Brahma, the self-born) returned to the abode of Brahma. Having heard the praises of Sri Hari-which wipe out the sins of the world, and which were uttered by the mouth of Narada-and contemplating on His feet. the Pracetas too attained to His realm. I have thus repeated to you, O Vidura, the dialogue between the Pracetas and Narada, containing the praises of Sri Hari-which was all you asked me.
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