# Cc. Madhya 25.119 ## Text > ṛte 'rthaṁ yat pratīyeta > na pratīyeta cātmani > tad vidyād ātmano māyāṁ > yathābhāso yathā tamaḥ ## Synonyms *ṛte*—without; *artham*—value; *yat*—that which; *pratīyeta*—appears to be; *na*—not; *pratīyeta*—appears to be; *ca*—certainly; *ātmani*—in relation to Me; *tat*—that; *vidyāt*—you must know; *ātmanaḥ*—My; *māyām*—illusory energy; *yathā*—just as; *ābhāsaḥ*—the reflection; *yathā*—just as; *tamaḥ*—the darkness. ## Translation **“ 'What appears to be truth without Me, is certainly My illusory energy, for nothing can exist without Me. It is like a reflection of a real light in the shadows, for in the light there are neither shadows nor reflections.** ## Purport This is a quotation from *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* [[sb/2/9/34|(2.9.34)]]. It is the second verse of the *catuḥ-ślokī.* For an explanation of this verse, see *Ādi-līlā,* Chapter One, text 54.