naimittikaḥ - occasional; prākṛtikaḥ - elemental; nityaḥ - continuous; ātyantikaḥ - ultimate; layaḥ - annihilation; saṁsthā - the dissolution; iti - thus; kavibhiḥ - by learned scholars; proktaḥ - described; caturdhā - in four aspects; asya - of this universe; svabhāvataḥ - by the inherent energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

There are four types of cosmic annihilation — occasional, elemental, continuous and ultimate — all of which are effected by the inherent potency of the Supreme Lord. Learned scholars have designated this topic dissolution.