Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana) – Canto 2: The Cosmic Manifestation – SB 2.9: Answers by Citing the Lord’s Version

SB 2.9.34

rte ’rtham yat pratiyeta
na pratiyeta catmani
tad vidyad atmano mayam
yathabhaso yatha tamah

Synonyms: rte — without; artham — value; yat — that which; pratiyeta — appears to be; na — not; pratiyeta — appears to be; ca — and; atmani — in relation to Me; tat — that; vidyat — you must know; atmanah — My; mayam — illusory energy; yatha — just as; abhasah — the reflection; yatha — as; tamah — the darkness.

Translation: O Brahma, whatever appears to be of any value, if it is without relation to Me, has no reality. Know it as My illusory energy, that reflection which appears to be in darkness.

Purport:

In the previous verse it has already been concluded that in any stage of the cosmic manifestation — its appearance, its s