The flames of a fire appear and disappear at every moment, and yet this creation and destruction is not noticed by the ordinary observer. Similarly, the mighty waves of time flow constantly, like the powerful currents of a river, and imperceptibly cause the birth, growth and death of innumerable material bodies. And yet the soul, who is thus constantly forced to change his position, cannot perceive the actions of time.
Srimad Bhagavata Purana
श्रीमद्भागवतमहापुराणम्
मूल श्लोकः
कालेन ह्योघवेगेन भूतानां प्रभवाप्ययौ । नित्यावपि न दृश्येते आत्मनोऽग्नेर्यथार्चिषाम्
kālena hyoghavegena bhūtānāṃ prabhavāpyayau | nityāvapi na dṛśyete ātmano'gneryathārciṣām
SB 11.7.49