# SB 8.7.23 ## Text > guṇa-mayyā sva-śaktyāsya > sarga-sthity-apyayān vibho > dhatse yadā sva-dṛg bhūman > brahma-viṣṇu-śivābhidhām ## Synonyms *guṇa*-*mayyā*—acting in three modes of activity; *sva*-*śaktyā*—by the external energy of Your Lordship; *asya*—of this material world; *sarga*-*sthiti*-*apyayān*—creation, maintenance and annihilation; *vibho*—O lord; *dhatse*—you execute; *yadā*—when; *sva*-*dṛk*—you manifest yourself; *bhūman*—O great one; *brahma*-*viṣṇu*-*śiva*-*abhidhām*—as Lord Brahmā, Lord Viṣṇu or Lord Śiva. ## Translation **O lord, you are self-effulgent and supreme. You create this material world by your personal energy, and you assume the names Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara when you act in creation, maintenance and annihilation.** ## Purport This prayer is actually offered to Lord Viṣṇu, the *puruṣa,* who in His incarnations as the *guṇa-avatāras* assumes the names Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara.