Srimad-Bhagavatam: Canto 11 - Chapter 1 - Verse 17

Sanskrit:

सर्गादौ प्रकृतिर्ह्यस्य कार्यकारणरूपिणी ।सत्त्वादिभिर्गुणैर्धत्ते पुरुषोऽव्यक्त ईक्षते ॥ १७ ॥

ITRANS:

sargādau prakṛtir hy asyakārya-kāraṇa-rūpiṇīsattvādibhir guṇair dhattepuruṣo ’vyakta īkṣate

Translation:

In the beginning of creation nature assumes, by the modes of goodness, passion and ignorance, its form as the embodiment of all subtle causes and gross manifestations within the universe. The Supreme Personality of Godhead does not enter the interaction of material manifestation but merely glances upon nature.

Purport:

The Personality of Godhead is not subject to transformation like the subtle and gross material elements. Thus the Lord is avyakta, or not materially manifest at any stage of cosmic evolution. Regardless of the specific method of cataloging the material elements, the Lord remains the ultimate creator, maintainer and annihilator of the total cosmic situation.