# SB 8.12.39 > को नु मेऽतितरेन्मायां विषक्तस्त्वदृते पुमान > तांस्तान्विसृजतीं भावान्दुस्तरामकृतात्मभिः ॥३९॥ ## Text > ko nu me 'titaren māyāṁ > viṣaktas tvad-ṛte pumān > tāṁs tān visṛjatīṁ bhāvān > dustarām akṛtātmabhiḥ ## Synonyms *kaḥ*—what; *nu*—indeed; *me*—My; *atitaret*—can surpass; *māyām*—illusory energy; *viṣaktaḥ*—attached to material sense enjoyment; *tvat-ṛte*—except for you; *pumān*—person; *tān*—such conditions; *tān*—unto the materially attached persons; *visṛjatīm*—in surpassing; *bhāvān*—reactions of material activities; *dustarām*—very difficult to surmount; *akṛta-ātmabhiḥ*—by persons unable to control their senses. ## Translation **My dear Lord Śambhu, who within this material world but you can surpass My illusory energy? People are generally attached to sense enjoyment and conquered by its influence. Indeed, the influence of material nature is very difficult for them to surmount.** ## Purport Of the three chief demigods—Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara—all but Viṣṇu are under the influence of *māyā.* In *Caitanya-caritāmṛta,* they are described as *māyī,* which means "under *māyā's* influence." But even though Lord Śiva associates with *māyā,* he is not influenced. The living entities are affected by *māyā,* but although Lord Śiva apparently associates with *māyā,* he is not affected. In other words, all living entities within this material world except for Lord Śiva are swayed by *māyā.* Lord Śiva is therefore neither *viṣṇu-tattva* nor *jīva-tattva.* He is between the two.