ātmaiva hy ātmano goptā
nirvidyeta yadākhilāt
apramatta idaḿ paśyed
grastaḿ kālāhinā jagat
atma -- the soul; eva -- alone; hi -- certainly; atmanah -- of himself; gopta -- the protector; nirvidyeta -- becomes detached; yada -- when; akhilat -- from all material things; apramattah -- without material fever; idam -- this; pasyet -- can see; grastam -- seized; kala -- of time; ahina -- by the serpent; jagat -- the universe.
When the living entity sees that the entire universe has been seized by the serpent of time, he becomes sober and sane and at that time detaches himself from all material sense gratification. In that condition the living entity is qualified to be his own protector.
In this verse, Pingala states that by the Lord's mercy a self-realized soul can see that the entire universe is existing within the jaws of the great serpent of time. Certainly this is not a promising situation, and one who sees it loses his desire for sense gratification. Thus, by the Lord's causeless mercy, the spiritually sane living entity can protect himself from illusion.
Since Pingala is now glorifying the Personality of Godhead for His mercy in awarding salvation, the following question might arise: Is she worshiping the Lord out of love, or is she merely a salvationist desiring liberation from material existence? In answer it may be said that in her Krishna conscious situation she is already liberated, even though remaining in this world. Her program will now be simply to render loving service to the Personality of Godhead without any personal desire, including that of salvation.
