TEXT 1
TEXT
sri-bhagavan uvaca
atha te sampravaksyami
tattvanam laksanam prthak
yad viditva vimucyeta
purusah prakrtair gunaih
SYNONYMS
sri-bhagavan uvaca–the Personality of Godhead said; atha–now; te–to
you; sampravaksyami–I shall describe; tattvanam–of the categories of
the Absolute Truth; laksanam–the distinctive features; prthak–one by
one; yat–which; viditva–knowing; vimucyeta–one can be released;
purusah–any person; prakrtaih–of the material nature; gunaih–from the
modes.
TRANSLATION
The Personality of Godhead, Kapila, continued: My dear mother, now I
shall describe unto you the different categories of the Absolute Truth,
knowing which any person can be released from the influence of the modes
of material nature.TEXT 2
TEXT
jnanam nihsreyasarthaya
purusasyatma-darsanam
yad ahur varnaye tat te
hrdaya-granthi-bhedanam
SYNONYMS
jnanam–knowledge; nihsreyasa-arthaya–for the ultimate perfection;
purusasya–of a man; atma-darsanam–self-realization; yat–which; ahuh–
they said; varnaye–I shall explain; tat–that; te–to you; hrdaya–in
the heart; granthi–the knots; bhedanam–cuts.
TRANSLATION
Knowledge is the ultimate perfection of self-realization. I shall
explain that knowledge unto you by which the knots of attachment to the
material world are cut.TEXT 3
TEXT
anadir atma puruso
nirgunah prakrteh parah
pratyag-dhama svayam-jyotir
visvam yena samanvitam
SYNONYMS
anadih–without a beginning; atma–the Supreme Soul; purusah–the
Personality of Godhead; nirgunah–transcendental to the material modes of
nature; prakrteh parah–beyond this material world; pratyak-dhama–
perceivable everywhere; svayam-jyotih–self-effulgent; visvam–the entire
creation; yena–by whom; samanvitam–is maintained.
TRANSLATION
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the Supreme Soul, and He has no
beginning. He is transcendental to the material modes of nature and
beyond the existence of this material world. He is perceivable everywhere
because He is self-effulgent, and by His self-effulgent luster the entire
creation is maintained.TEXT 4
TEXT
sa esa prakrtim suksmam
daivim gunamayim vibhuh
yadrcchayaivopagatam
abhyapadyata lilaya
SYNONYMS
sah esah–that same Supreme Personality of Godhead; prakrtim–material
energy; suksmam–subtle; daivim–related to Visnu; gunamayim–invested
with the three modes of material nature; vibhuh–the greatest of the
great; yadrcchaya–of His own will; iva–quite; upagatam–obtained;
abhyapadyata–He accepted; lilaya–as His pastime.
TRANSLATION
As His pastime, that Supreme Personality of Godhead, the greatest of
the great, accepted the subtle material energy, which is invested with
three material modes of nature and which is related with Visnu.TEXT 5
TEXT
gunair vicitrah srjatim
sa-rupah prakrtim prajah
vilokya mumuhe sadyah
sa iha jnana-guhaya
SYNONYMS
gunaih–by the threefold modes; vicitrah–variegated; srjatim–
creating; sa-rupah–with forms; prakrtim–material nature; prajah–living
entities; vilokya–having seen; mumuhe–was illusioned; sadyah–at once;
sah–the living entity; iha–in this world; jnana-guhaya–by the
knowledge-covering feature.
TRANSLATION
Divided into varieties by her threefold modes, material nature creates
the forms of the living entities, and the living entities, seeing this,
are illusioned by the knowledge-covering feature of the illusory energy.TEXT 6
TEXT
evam parabhidhyanena
kartrtvam prakrteh puman
karmasu kriyamanesu
gunair atmani manyate
SYNONYMS
evam–in this way; para–other; abhidhyanena–by identification;
kartrtvam–the performance of activities; prakrteh–of the material
nature; puman–the living entity; karmasu kriyamanesu–while the
activities are being performed; gunaih–by the three modes; atmani–to
himself; manyate–he considers.
TRANSLATION
Because of his forgetfulness, the transcendental living entity accepts
the influence of material energy as his field of activities, and thus
actuated, he wrongly applies the activities to himself.TEXT 7
TEXT
tad asya samsrtir bandhah
para-tantryam ca tat-krtam
bhavaty akartur isasya
saksino nirvrtatmanah
SYNONYMS
tat–from the misconception; asya–of the conditioned soul; samsrtih–
conditioned life; bandhah–bondage; para-tantryam–dependence; ca–and;
tat-krtam–made by that; bhavati–is; akartuh–of the nondoer; isasya–
independent; saksinah–the witness; nirvrta-atmanah–joyful by nature.
TRANSLATION
Material consciousness is the cause of one’s conditional life, in
which conditions are enforced upon the living entity by the material
energy. Although the spirit soul does not do anything and is
transcendental to such activities, he is thus affected by conditional
life.TEXT 8
TEXT
karya-karana-kartrtve
karanam prakrtim viduh
bhoktrtve sukha-duhkhanam
purusam prakrteh param
SYNONYMS
karya–the body; karana–the senses; kartrtve–regarding the demigods;
karanam–the cause; prakrtim–material nature; viduh–the learned
understand; bhoktrtve–regarding the perception; sukha–of happiness;
duhkhanam–and of distress; purusam–the spirit soul; prakrteh–to
material nature; param–transcendental.
TRANSLATION
The cause of the conditioned soul’s material body and senses, and the
senses’ presiding deities, the demigods, is the material nature. This is
understood by learned men. The feelings of happiness and distress of the
soul, who is transcendental by nature, are caused by the spirit soul
himself.TEXT 9
TEXT
devahutir uvaca
prakrteh purusasyapi
laksanam purusottama
bruhi karanayor asya
sad-asac ca yad-atmakam
SYNONYMS
devahutih uvaca–Devahuti said; prakrteh–of His energies; purusasya–
of the Supreme Person; api–also; laksanam–characteristics; purusauttama–
O Supreme Personality of Godhead; bruhi–kindly explain;
karanayoh–causes; asya–of this creation; sat-asat–manifest and
unmanifest; ca–and; yat-atmakam–consisting of which.
TRANSLATION
Devahuti said: O Supreme Personality of Godhead, kindly explain the
characteristics of the Supreme Person and His energies, for both of these
are the causes of this manifest and unmanifest creation.TEXT 10
TEXT
sri-bhagavan uvaca
yat tat tri-gunam avyaktam
nityam sad-asad-atmakam
pradhanam prakrtim prahur
avisesam visesavat
SYNONYMS
sri-bhagavan uvaca–the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; yat–now
further; tat–that; tri-gunam–combination of the three modes; avyaktam–
unmanifested; nityam–eternal; sat-asat-atmakam–consisting of cause and
effect; pradhanam–the pradhana; prakrtim–prakrti; prahuh–they call;
avisesam–undifferentiated; visesa-vat–possessing differentiation.
TRANSLATION
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: The unmanifested eternal
combination of the three modes is the cause of the manifest state and is
called pradhana. It is called prakrti when in the manifested stage of
existence.TEXT 11
TEXT
pancabhih pancabhir brahma
caturbhir dasabhis tatha
etac catur-vimsatikam
ganam pradhanikam viduh
SYNONYMS
pancabhih–with the five (gross elements); pancabhih–the five (subtle
elements); brahma–Brahman; caturbhih–the four (internal senses);
dasabhih–the ten (five senses for gathering knowledge and five organs of
action); tatha–in that way; etat–this; catuh-vimsatikam–consisting of
twenty-four elements; ganam–aggregate; pradhanikam–comprising the
pradhana; viduh–they know.
TRANSLATION
The aggregate elements, namely the five gross elements, the five
subtle elements, the four internal senses, the five senses for gathering
knowledge and the five outward organs of action, are known as the
pradhana.TEXT 12
TEXT
maha-bhutani pancaiva
bhur apo ‘gnir marun nabhah
tan-matrani ca tavanti
gandhadini matani me
SYNONYMS
maha-bhutani–the gross elements; panca–five; eva–exactly; bhuh–
earth; apah–water; agnih–fire; marut–air; nabhah–ether; tat-matrani–
the subtle elements; ca–also; tavanti–so many; gandha-adini–smell and
so on (taste, color, touch and sound); matani–considered; me–by Me.
TRANSLATION
There are five gross elements, namely earth, water, fire, air and
ether. There are also five subtle elements: smell, taste, color, touch
and sound.
TEXT 13
TEXT
indriyani dasa srotram
tvag drg rasana-nasikah
vak karau caranau medhram
payur dasama ucyate
SYNONYMS
indriyani–the senses; dasa–ten; srotram–the sense of hearing; tvak-
-the sense of touch; drk–the sense of sight; rasana–the sense of taste;
nasikah–the sense of smell; vak–the organ of speech; karau–two hands;
caranau–the organs for traveling (legs); medhram–the generative organ;
payuh–the evacuating organ; dasamah–the tenth; ucyate–is called.
TRANSLATION
The senses for acquiring knowledge and the organs for action number
ten, namely the auditory sense, the sense of taste, the tactile sense,
the sense of sight, the sense of smell, the active organ for speaking,
the active organs for working, and those for traveling, generating and
evacuating.
TEXT 14
TEXT
mano buddhir ahankaras
cittam ity antar-atmakam
caturdha laksyate bhedo
vrttya laksana-rupaya
SYNONYMS
manah–the mind; buddhih–intelligence; ahankarah–ego; cittam–
consciousness; iti–thus; antah-atmakam–the internal, subtle senses;
catuh-dha–having four aspects; laksyate–is observed; bhedah–the
distinction; vrttya–by their functions; laksana-rupaya–representing
different characteristics.
TRANSLATION
The internal, subtle senses are experienced as having four aspects, in
the shape of mind, intelligence, ego and contaminated consciousness.
Distinctions between them can be made only by different functions, since
they represent different characteristics.TEXT 15
TEXT
etavan eva sankhyato
brahmanah sa-gunasya ha
sanniveso maya prokto
yah kalah panca-vimsakah
SYNONYMS
etavan–so much; eva–just; sankhyatah–enumerated; brahmanah–of
Brahman; sa-gunasya–with material qualities; ha–indeed; sannivesah–
arrangement; maya–by Me; proktah–spoken; yah–which; kalah–time;
panca-vimsakah–the twenty-fifth.
TRANSLATION
All these are considered the qualified Brahman. The mixing element,
which is known as time, is counted as the twenty-fifth element.TEXT 16
TEXT
prabhavam paurusam prahuh
kalam eke yato bhayam
ahankara-vimudhasya
kartuh prakrtim iyusah
SYNONYMS
prabhavam–the influence; paurusam–of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead; prahuh–they have said; kalam–the time factor; eke–some;
yatah–from which; bhayam–fear; ahankara-vimudhasya–deluded by false
ego; kartuh–of the individual soul; prakrtim–material nature; iyusah–
having contacted.
TRANSLATION
The influence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is felt in the
time factor, which causes fear of death due to the false ego of the
deluded soul who has contacted material nature.TEXT 17
TEXT
prakrter guna-samyasya
nirvisesasya manavi
cesta yatah sa bhagavan
kala ity upalaksitah
SYNONYMS
prakrteh–of material nature; guna-samyasya–without interaction of
the three modes; nirvisesasya–without specific qualities; manavi–O
daughter of Manu; cesta–movement; yatah–from whom; sah–He; bhagavan–
the Supreme Personality of Godhead; kalah–time; iti–thus; upalaksitah–
is designated.
TRANSLATION
My dear mother, O daughter of Svayambhuva Manu, the time factor, as I
have explained, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, from whom the
creation begins as a result of the agitation of the neutral, unmanifested
nature.TEXT 18
TEXT
antah purusa-rupena
kala-rupena yo bahih
samanvety esa sattvanam
bhagavan atma-mayaya
SYNONYMS
antah–within; purusa-rupena–in the form of Supersoul; kala-rupena–
in the form of time; yah–He who; bahih–without; samanveti–exists;
esah–He; sattvanam–of all living entities; bhagavan–the Supreme
Personality of Godhead; atma-mayaya–by His potencies.
TRANSLATION
By exhibiting His potencies, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
adjusts all these different elements, keeping Himself within as the
Supersoul and without as time.TEXT 19
TEXT
daivat ksubhita-dharminyam
svasyam yonau parah puman
adhatta viryam sasuta
mahat-tattvam hiranmayam
SYNONYMS
daivat–by the destiny of the conditioned souls; ksubhita–agitated;
dharminyam–whose equilibrium of the modes; svasyam–His own; yonau–in
the womb (material nature); parah puman–the Supreme Personality of
Godhead; adhatta–impregnated; viryam–semen (His internal potency); sa–
she (material nature); asuta–delivered; mahat-tattvam–the sum total of
cosmic intelligence; hiranmayam–known as Hiranmaya.
TRANSLATION
After the Supreme Personality of Godhead impregnates material nature
with His internal potency, material nature delivers the sum total of the
cosmic intelligence, which is known as Hiranmaya. This takes place in
material nature when she is agitated by the destinations of the
conditioned souls.TEXT 20
TEXT
visvam atma-gatam vyanjan
kuta-stho jagad-ankurah
sva-tejasapibat tivram
atma-prasvapanam tamah
SYNONYMS
visvam–the universe; atma-gatam–contained within itself; vyanjan–
manifesting; kuta-sthah–unchangeable; jagat-ankurah–the root of all
cosmic manifestations; sva-tejasa–by its own effulgence; apibat–
swallowed; tivram–dense; atma-prasvapanam–which had covered the mahattattva;
tamah–darkness.
TRANSLATION
Thus, after manifesting variegatedness, the effulgent mahat-tattva,
which contains all the universes within itself, which is the root of all
cosmic manifestations and which is not destroyed at the time of
annihilation, swallows the darkness that covered the effulgence at the
time of dissolution.TEXT 21
TEXT
yat tat sattva-gunam svaccham
santam bhagavatah padam
yad ahur vasudevakhyam
cittam tan mahad-atmakam
SYNONYMS
yat–which; tat–that; sattva-gunam–the mode of goodness; svaccham–
clear; santam–sober; bhagavatah–of the Personality of Godhead; padam–
the status of understanding; yat–which; ahuh–is called; vasudevaakhyam–
by the name vasudeva; cittam–consciousness; tat–that; mahatatmakam–
manifest in the mahat-tattva.
TRANSLATION
The mode of goodness, which is the clear, sober status of
understanding the Personality of Godhead and which is generally called
vasudeva, or consciousness, becomes manifest in the mahat-tattva.TEXT 22
TEXT
svacchatvam avikaritvam
santatvam iti cetasah
vrttibhir laksanam proktam
yathapam prakrtih para
SYNONYMS
svacchatvam–clarity; avikaritvam–freedom from all distraction;
santatvam–serenity; iti–thus; cetasah–of consciousness; vrttibhih–by
characteristics; laksanam–traits; proktam–called; yatha–as; apam–of
water; prakrtih–natural state; para–pure.
TRANSLATION
After the manifestation of the mahat-tattva, these features appear
simultaneously. As water in its natural state, before coming in contact
with earth, is clear, sweet and unruffled, so the characteristic traits
of pure consciousness are complete serenity, clarity, and freedom from
distraction.TEXTS 23-24
TEXT
mahat-tattvad vikurvanad
bhagavad-virya-sambhavat
kriya-saktir ahankaras
tri-vidhah samapadyata
vaikarikas taijasas ca
tamasas ca yato bhavah
manasas cendriyanam ca
bhutanam mahatam api
SYNONYMS
mahat-tattvat–from the mahat-tattva; vikurvanat–undergoing a change;
bhagavat-virya-sambhavat–evolved from the Lord’s own energy; kriyasaktih–
endowed with active power; ahankarah–the material ego; trividhah–
of the three kinds; samapadyata–sprang up; vaikarikah–material
ego in transformed goodness; taijasah–material ego in passion; ca–and;
tamasah–material ego in ignorance; ca–also; yatah–from which; bhavah–
the origin; manasah–of the mind; ca–and; indriyanam–of the senses for
perception and action; ca–and; bhutanam mahatam–of the five gross
elements; api–also.
TRANSLATION
The material ego springs up from the mahat-tattva, which evolved from
the Lord’s own energy. The material ego is endowed predominantly with
active power of three kinds–good, passionate and ignorant. It is from
these three types of material ego that the mind, the senses of
perception, the organs of action, and the gross elements evolve.TEXT 25
TEXT
sahasra-sirasam saksad
yam anantam pracaksate
sankarsanakhyam purusam
bhutendriya-manomayam
SYNONYMS
sahasra-sirasam–with a thousand heads; saksat–directly; yam–whom;
anantam–Ananta; pracaksate–they all; sankarsana-akhyam–Sankarsana by
name; purusam–the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhuta–the gross
elements; indriya–the senses; manah-mayam–consisting of the mind.
TRANSLATION
The threefold ahankara, the source of the gross elements, the senses
and the mind, is identical with them because it is their cause. It is
known by the name of Sankarsana, who is directly Lord Ananta with a
thousand heads.
TEXT 26
TEXT
kartrtvam karanatvam ca
karyatvam ceti laksanam
santa-ghora-vimudhatvam
iti va syad ahankrteh
SYNONYMS
kartrtvam–being the doer; karanatvam–being the instrument; ca–and;
karyatvam–being the effect; ca–also; iti–thus; laksanam–
characteristic; santa–serene; ghora–active; vimudhatvam–being dull;
iti–thus; va–or; syat–may be; ahankrteh–of the false ego.
TRANSLATION
This false ego is characterized as the doer, as an instrument and as
an effect. It is further characterized as serene, active or dull
according to how it is influenced by the modes of goodness, passion and
ignorance.TEXT 27
TEXT
vaikarikad vikurvanan
manas-tattvam ajayata
yat-sankalpa-vikalpabhyam
vartate kama-sambhavah
SYNONYMS
vaikarikat–from the false ego of goodness; vikurvanat–undergoing
transformation; manah–the mind; tattvam–principle; ajayata–evolved;
yat–whose; sankalpa–thoughts; vikalpabhyam–and by reflections;
vartate–happens; kama-sambhavah–the rise of desire.
TRANSLATION
From the false ego of goodness, another transformation takes place.
From this evolves the mind, whose thoughts and reflections give rise to
desire.TEXT 28
TEXT
yad vidur hy aniruddhakhyam
hrsikanam adhisvaram
saradendivara-syamam
samradhyam yogibhih sanaih
SYNONYMS
yat–which mind; viduh–is known; hi–indeed; aniruddha-akhyam–by the
name Aniruddha; hrsikanam–of the senses; adhisvaram–the supreme ruler;
sarada–autumnal; indivara–like a blue lotus; syamam–bluish;
samradhyam–who is found; yogibhih–by the yogis; sanaih–gradually.
TRANSLATION
The mind of the living entity is known by the name of Lord Aniruddha,
the supreme ruler of the senses. He possesses a bluish-black form
resembling a lotus flower growing in the autumn. He is found slowly by
the yogis.TEXT 29
TEXT
taijasat tu vikurvanad
buddhi-tattvam abhut sati
dravya-sphurana-vijnanam
indriyanam anugrahah
SYNONYMS
taijasat–from the false ego in passion; tu–then; vikurvanat–
undergoing transformation; buddhi–intelligence; tattvam–principle;
abhut–took birth; sati–O virtuous lady; dravya–objects; sphurana–
coming into view; vijnanam–ascertaining; indriyanam–to the senses;
anugrahah–giving assistance.
TRANSLATION
By transformation of the false ego in passion, intelligence takes
birth, O virtuous lady. The functions of intelligence are to help in
ascertaining the nature of objects when they come into view, and to help
the senses.TEXT 30
TEXT
samsayo ‘tha viparyaso
niscayah smrtir eva ca
svapa ity ucyate buddher
laksanam vrttitah prthak
SYNONYMS
samsayah–doubt; atha–then; viparyasah–misapprehension; niscayah–
correct apprehension; smrtih–memory; eva–also; ca–and; svapah–sleep;
iti–thus; ucyate–are said; buddheh–of intelligence; laksanam–
characteristics; vrttitah–by their functions; prthak–different.
TRANSLATION
Doubt, misapprehension, correct apprehension, memory and sleep, as
determined by their different functions, are said to be the distinct
characteristics of intelligence.TEXT 31
TEXT
taijasanindriyany eva
kriya-jnana-vibhagasah
pranasya hi kriya-saktir
buddher vijnana-saktita
SYNONYMS
taijasani–produced from egoism in the mode of passion; indriyani–the
senses; eva–certainly; kriya–action; jnana–knowledge; vibhagasah–
according to; pranasya–of the vital energy; hi–indeed; kriya-saktih–
the senses of action; buddheh–of the intelligence; vijnana-saktita–the
senses for acquiring knowledge.
TRANSLATION
Egoism in the mode of passion produces two kinds of senses–the senses
for acquiring knowledge and the senses of action. The senses of action
depend on the vital energy, and the senses for acquiring knowledge depend
on intelligence.TEXT 32
TEXT
tamasac ca vikurvanad
bhagavad-virya-coditat
sabda-matram abhut tasman
nabhah srotram tu sabdagam
SYNONYMS
tamasat–from egoism in ignorance; ca–and; vikurvanat–undergoing
transformation; bhagavat-virya–by the energy of the Supreme Personality
of Godhead; coditat–impelled; sabda-matram–the subtle element sound;
abhut–was manifested; tasmat–from that; nabhah–ether; srotram–the
sense of hearing; tu–then; sabda-gam–which catches sound.
TRANSLATION
When egoism in ignorance is agitated by the sex energy of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, the subtle element sound is manifested, and from
sound come the ethereal sky and the sense of hearing.TEXT 33
TEXT
arthasrayatvam sabdasya
drastur lingatvam eva ca
tan-matratvam ca nabhaso
laksanam kavayo viduh
SYNONYMS
artha-asrayatvam–that which conveys the meaning of an object;
sabdasya–of sound; drastuh–of the speaker; lingatvam–that which
indicates the presence; eva–also; ca–and; tat-matratvam–the subtle
element; ca–and; nabhasah–of ether; laksanam–definition; kavayah–
learned persons; viduh–know.
TRANSLATION
Persons who are learned and who have true knowledge define sound as
that which conveys the idea of an object, indicates the presence of a
speaker screened from our view and constitutes the subtle form of ether.TEXT 34
TEXT
bhutanam chidra-datrtvam
bahir antaram eva ca
pranendriyatma-dhisnyatvam
nabhaso vrtti-laksanam
SYNONYMS
bhutanam–of all living entities; chidra-datrtvam–the accommodation
of room; bahih–external; antaram–internal; eva–also; ca–and; prana–
of the vital air; indriya–the senses; atma–and the mind; dhisnyatvam–
being the field of activities; nabhasah–of the ethereal element; vrtti–
activities; laksanam–characteristics.
TRANSLATION
The activities and characteristics of the ethereal element can be
observed as accommodation for the room for the external and internal
existences of all living entities, namely the field of activities of the
vital air, the senses and the mind.TEXT 35
TEXT
nabhasah sabda-tanmatrat
kala-gatya vikurvatah
sparso ‘bhavat tato vayus
tvak sparsasya ca sangrahah
SYNONYMS
nabhasah–from ether; sabda-tanmatrat–which evolves from the subtle
element sound; kala-gatya–under the impulse of time; vikurvatah–
undergoing transformation; sparsah–the subtle element touch; abhavat–
evolved; tatah–thence; vayuh–air; tvak–the sense of touch; sparsasya–
of touch; ca–and; sangrahah–perception.
TRANSLATION
From ethereal existence, which evolves from sound, the next
transformation takes place under the impulse of time, and thus the subtle
element touch and thence the air and sense of touch become prominent.TEXT 36
TEXT
mrdutvam kathinatvam ca
saityam usnatvam eva ca
etat sparsasya sparsatvam
tan-matratvam nabhasvatah
SYNONYMS
mrdutvam–softness; kathinatvam–hardness; ca–and; saityam–cold;
usnatvam–heat; eva–also; ca–and; etat–this; sparsasya–of the subtle
element touch; sparsatvam–the distinguishing attributes; tat-matratvam–
the subtle form; nabhasvatah–of air.
TRANSLATION
Softness and hardness and cold and heat are the distinguishing
attributes of touch, which is characterized as the subtle form of air.TEXT 37
TEXT
calanam vyuhanam praptir
netrtvam dravya-sabdayoh
sarvendriyanam atmatvam
vayoh karmabhilaksanam
SYNONYMS
calanam–moving; vyuhanam–mixing; praptih–allowing approach;
netrtvam–carrying; dravya-sabdayoh–particles of substances and sound;
sarva-indriyanam–of all the senses; atmatvam–providing for the proper
functioning; vayoh–of air; karma–by actions; abhilaksanam–the distinct
characteristics.
TRANSLATION
The action of the air is exhibited in movements, mixing, allowing
approach to the objects of sound and other sense perceptions, and
providing for the proper functioning of all other senses.TEXT 38
TEXT
vayos ca sparsa-tanmatrad
rupam daiveritad abhut
samutthitam tatas tejas
caksu rupopalambhanam
SYNONYMS
vayoh–from air; ca–and; sparsa-tanmatrat–which evolves from the
subtle element touch; rupam–form; daiva-iritat–according to destiny;
abhut–evolved; samutthitam–arose; tatah–from that; tejah–fire;
caksuh–sense of sight; rupa–color and form; upalambhanam–perceiving.
TRANSLATION
By interactions of the air and the sensations of touch, one receives
different forms according to destiny. By evolution of such forms, there
is fire, and the eye sees different forms in color.TEXT 39
TEXT
dravyakrtitvam gunata
vyakti-samsthatvam eva ca
tejastvam tejasah sadhvi
rupa-matrasya vrttayah
SYNONYMS
dravya–of an object; akrtitvam–dimension; gunata–quality; vyaktisamsthatvam–
individuality; eva–also; ca–and; tejastvam–effulgence;
tejasah–of fire; sadhvi–O virtuous lady; rupa-matrasya–of the subtle
element form; vrttayah–the characteristics.
TRANSLATION
My dear mother, the characteristics of form are understood by
dimension, quality and individuality. The form of fire is appreciated by
its effulgence.TEXT 40
TEXT
dyotanam pacanam panam
adanam hima-mardanam
tejaso vrttayas tv etah
sosanam ksut trd eva ca
SYNONYMS
dyotanam–illumination; pacanam–cooking, digesting; panam–drinking;
adanam–eating; hima-mardanam–destroying cold; tejasah–of fire;
vrttayah–functions; tu–indeed; etah–these; sosanam–evaporating; ksut-
-hunger; trt–thirst; eva–also; ca–and.
TRANSLATION
Fire is appreciated by its light and by its ability to cook, to
digest, to destroy cold, to evaporate, and to give rise to hunger,
thirst, eating and drinking.TEXT 41
TEXT
rupa-matrad vikurvanat
tejaso daiva-coditat
rasa-matram abhut tasmad
ambho jihva rasa-grahah
SYNONYMS
rupa-matrat–which evolves from the subtle element form; vikurvanat–
undergoing transformation; tejasah–from fire; daiva-coditat–under a
superior arrangement; rasa-matram–the subtle element taste; abhut–
became manifested; tasmat–from that; ambhah–water; jihva–the sense of
taste; rasa-grahah–which perceives taste.
TRANSLATION
By the interaction of fire and the visual sensation, the subtle
element taste evolves under a superior arrangement. From taste, water is
produced, and the tongue, which perceives taste, is also manifested.TEXT 42
TEXT
kasayo madhuras tiktah
katv amla iti naikadha
bhautikanam vikarena
rasa eko vibhidyate
SYNONYMS
kasayah–astringent; madhurah–sweet; tiktah–bitter; katu–pungent;
amlah–sour; iti–thus; na-ekadha–manifoldly; bhautikanam–of other
substances; vikarena–by transformation; rasah–the subtle element taste;
ekah–originally one; vibhidyate–is divided.
TRANSLATION
Although originally one, taste becomes manifold as astringent, sweet,
bitter, pungent, sour and salty due to contact with other substances.
TEXT 43
TEXT
kledanam pindanam trptih
prananapyayanondanam
tapapanodo bhuyastvam
ambhaso vrttayas tv imah
SYNONYMS
kledanam–moistening; pindanam–coagulating; trptih–causing
satisfaction; pranana–maintaining life; apyayana–refreshing; undanam–
softening; tapa–heat; apanodah–driving away; bhuyastvam–being in
abundance; ambhasah–of water; vrttayah–the characteristic functions;
tu–in fact; imah–these.
TRANSLATION
The characteristics of water are exhibited by its moistening other
substances, coagulating various mixtures, causing satisfaction,
maintaining life, softening things, driving away heat, incessantly
supplying itself to reservoirs of water, and refreshing by slaking
thirst.TEXT 44
TEXT
rasa-matrad vikurvanad
ambhaso daiva-coditat
gandha-matram abhut tasmat
prthvi ghranas tu gandhagah
SYNONYMS
rasa-matrat–which evolves from the subtle element taste; vikurvanat–
undergoing transformation; ambhasah–from water; daiva-coditat–by a
superior arrangement; gandha-matram–the subtle element odor; abhut–
became manifest; tasmat–from that; prthvi–earth; ghranah–the olfactory
sense; tu–in fact; gandha-gah–which perceives aromas.
TRANSLATION
Due to the interaction of water with the taste perception, the subtle
element odor evolves under superior arrangement. Thence the earth and the
olfactory sense, by which we can variously experience the aroma of the
earth, become manifest.
TEXT 45
TEXT
karambha-puti-saurabhyasantogramladibhih
prthak
dravyavayava-vaisamyad
gandha eko vibhidyate
SYNONYMS
karambha–mixed; puti–offensive; saurabhya–fragrant; santa–mild;
ugra–strong, pungent; amla–acid; adibhih–and so on; prthak–
separately; dravya–of substance; avayava–of portions; vaisamyat–
according to diversity; gandhah–odor; ekah–one; vibhidyate–is divided.
TRANSLATION
Odor, although one, becomes many–as mixed, offensive, fragrant, mild,
strong, acidic and so on–according to the proportions of associated
substances.TEXT 46
TEXT
bhavanam brahmanah sthanam
dharanam sad-visesanam
sarva-sattva-gunodbhedah
prthivi-vrtti-laksanam
SYNONYMS
bhavanam–modeling forms; brahmanah–of the Supreme Brahman; sthanam–
constructing places of residence; dharanam–containing substances; satvisesanam–
distinguishing the open space; sarva–all; sattva–of
existence; guna–qualities; udbhedah–the place for manifestation;
prthivi–of earth; vrtti–of the functions; laksanam–the
characteristics.
TRANSLATION
The characteristics of the functions of earth can be perceived by
modeling forms of the Supreme Brahman, by constructing places of
residence, by preparing pots to contain water, etc. In other words, the
earth is the place of sustenance for all elements.TEXT 47
TEXT
nabho-guna-viseso ‘rtho
yasya tac chrotram ucyate
vayor guna-viseso ‘rtho
yasya tat sparsanam viduh
SYNONYMS
nabhah-guna-visesah–the distinctive characteristic of sky (sound);
arthah–object of perception; yasya–whose; tat–that; srotram–the
auditory sense; ucyate–is called; vayoh guna-visesah–the distinctive
characteristic of air (touch); arthah–object of perception; yasya–
whose; tat–that; sparsanam–the tactile sense; viduh–they know.
TRANSLATION
The sense whose object of perception is sound is called the auditory
sense, and that whose object of perception is touch is called the tactile
sense.TEXT 48
TEXT
tejo-guna-viseso ‘rtho
yasya tac caksur ucyate
ambho-guna-viseso ‘rtho
yasya tad rasanam viduh
bhumer guna-viseso ‘rtho
yasya sa ghrana ucyate
SYNONYMS
tejah-guna-visesah–the distinctive characteristic of fire (form);
arthah–object of perception; yasya–whose; tat–that; caksuh–the sense
of sight; ucyate–is called; ambhah-guna-visesah–the distinctive
characteristic of water (taste); arthah–object of perception; yasya–
whose; tat–that; rasanam–the sense of taste; viduh–they know; bhumeh
guna-visesah–the distinctive characteristic of earth (odor); arthah–
object of perception; yasya–whose; sah–that; ghranah–the sense of
smell; ucyate–is called.
TRANSLATION
The sense whose object of perception is form, the distinctive
characteristic of fire, is the sense of sight. The sense whose object of
perception is taste, the distinctive characteristic of water, is known as
the sense of taste. Finally, the sense whose object of perception is
odor, the distinctive characteristic of earth, is called the sense of
smell.
TEXT 49
TEXT
parasya drsyate dharmo
hy aparasmin samanvayat
ato viseso bhavanam
bhumav evopalaksyate
SYNONYMS
parasya–of the cause; drsyate–is observed; dharmah–the
characteristics; hi–indeed; aparasmin–in the effect; samanvayat–in
order; atah–hence; visesah–the distinctive characteristic; bhavanam–of
all the elements; bhumau–in earth; eva–alone; upalaksyate–is observed.
TRANSLATION
Since the cause exists in its effect as well, the characteristics of
the former are observed in the latter. That is why the peculiarities of
all the elements exist in the earth alone.TEXT 50
TEXT
etany asamhatya yada
mahad-adini sapta vai
kala-karma-gunopeto
jagad-adir upavisat
SYNONYMS
etani–these; asamhatya–being unmixed; yada–when; mahat-adini–the
mahat-tattva, false ego and five gross elements; sapta–all together
seven; vai–in fact; kala–time; karma–work; guna–and the three modes
of material nature; upetah–accompanied by; jagat-adih–the origin of
creation; upavisat–entered.
TRANSLATION
When all these elements were unmixed, the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, the origin of creation, along with time, work, and the qualities
of the modes of material nature, entered into the universe with the total
material energy in seven divisions.TEXT 51
TEXT
tatas tenanuviddhebhyo
yuktebhyo ‘ndam acetanam
utthitam puruso yasmad
udatisthad asau virat
SYNONYMS
tatah–then; tena–by the Lord; anuviddhebhyah–from these seven
principles, roused into activity; yuktebhyah–united; andam–an egg;
acetanam–unintelligent; utthitam–arose; purusah–Cosmic Being; yasmat–
from which; udatisthat–appeared; asau–that; virat–celebrated.
TRANSLATION
From these seven principles, roused into activity and united by the
presence of the Lord, an unintelligent egg arose, from which appeared the
celebrated Cosmic Being.TEXT 52
TEXT
etad andam visesakhyam
krama-vrddhair dasottaraih
toyadibhih parivrtam
pradhanenavrtair bahih
yatra loka-vitano ‘yam
rupam bhagavato hareh
SYNONYMS
etat–this; andam–egg; visesa-akhyam–called visesa; krama–one after
another; vrddhaih–increased; dasa–ten times; uttaraih–greater; toyaadibhih–
by water and so on; parivrtam–enveloped; pradhanena–by
pradhana; avrtaih–covered; bahih–on the outside; yatra–where; lokavitanah–
the extension of the planetary systems; ayam–this; rupam–form;
bhagavatah–of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; hareh–of Lord Hari.
TRANSLATION
This universal egg, or the universe in the shape of an egg, is called
the manifestation of material energy. Its layers of water, air, fire,
sky, ego and mahat-tattva increase in thickness one after another. Each
layer is ten times bigger than the previous one, and the final outside
layer is covered by pradhana. Within this egg is the universal form of
Lord Hari, of whose body the fourteen planetary systems are parts.TEXT 53
TEXT
hiranmayad anda-kosad
utthaya salile sayat
tam avisya maha-devo
bahudha nirbibheda kham
SYNONYMS
hiranmayat–golden; anda-kosat–from the egg; utthaya–arising;
salile–on the water; sayat–lying; tam–in it; avisya–having entered;
maha-devah–the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bahudha–in many ways;
nirbibheda–divided; kham–apertures.
TRANSLATION
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the virat-purusa, situated Himself
in that golden egg, which was lying on the water, and He divided it into
many departments.
TEXT 54
TEXT
nirabhidyatasya prathamam
mukham vani tato ‘bhavat
vanya vahnir atho nase
pranoto ghrana etayoh
SYNONYMS
nirabhidyata–appeared; asya–of Him; prathamam–first of all; mukham-
-a mouth; vani–the organ of speech; tatah–then; abhavat–came forth;
vanya–with the organ of speech; vahnih–the god of fire; athah–then;
nase–the two nostrils; prana–the vital air; utah–joined; ghranah–the
olfactory sense; etayoh–in them.
TRANSLATION
First of all a mouth appeared in Him, and then came forth the organ of
speech, and with it the god of fire, the deity who presides over that
organ. Then a pair of nostrils appeared, and in them appeared the
olfactory sense, as well as prana, the vital air.TEXT 55
TEXT
ghranad vayur abhidyetam
aksini caksur etayoh
tasmat suryo nyabhidyetam
karnau srotram tato disah
SYNONYMS
ghranat–from the olfactory sense; vayuh–the wind-god; abhidyetam–
appeared; aksini–the two eyes; caksuh–the sense of sight; etayoh–in
them; tasmat–from that; suryah–the sun-god; nyabhidyetam–appeared;
karnau–the two ears; srotram–the auditory sense; tatah–from that;
disah–the deities presiding over the directions.
TRANSLATION
In the wake of the olfactory sense came the wind-god, who presides
over that sense. Thereafter a pair of eyes appeared in the universal
form, and in them the sense of sight. In the wake of this sense came the
sun-god, who presides over it. Next there appeared in Him a pair of ears,
and in them the auditory sense and in its wake the Dig-devatas, or the
deities who preside over the directions.TEXT 56
TEXT
nirbibheda virajas tvagroma-
smasrv-adayas tatah
tata osadhayas casan
sisnam nirbibhide tatah
SYNONYMS
nirbibheda–appeared; virajah–of the universal form; tvak–skin;
roma–hair; smasru–beard, mustache; adayah–and so on; tatah–then;
tatah–thereupon; osadhayah–the herbs and drugs; ca–and; asan–
appeared; sisnam–genitals; nirbibhide–appeared; tatah–after this.
TRANSLATION
Then the universal form of the Lord, the virat-purusa, manifested His
skin, and thereupon the hair, mustache and beard appeared. After this all
the herbs and drugs became manifested, and then His genitals also
appeared.TEXT 57
TEXT
retas tasmad apa asan
nirabhidyata vai gudam
gudad apano ‘panac ca
mrtyur loka-bhayankarah
SYNONYMS
retah–semen; tasmat–from that; apah–the god who presides over the
waters; asan–appeared; nirabhidyata–was manifested; vai–indeed; gudam-
-an anus; gudat–from the anus; apanah–the organ of defecation; apanat–
from the organ of defecation; ca–and; mrtyuh–death; loka-bhayam-karah–
causing fear throughout the universe.
TRANSLATION
After this, semen (the faculty of procreation) and the god who
presides over the waters appeared. Next appeared an anus and then the
organs of defecation and thereupon the god of death, who is feared
throughout the universe.TEXT 58
TEXT
hastau ca nirabhidyetam
balam tabhyam tatah svarat
padau ca nirabhidyetam
gatis tabhyam tato harih
SYNONYMS
hastau–the two hands; ca–and; nirabhidyetam–were manifested; balam-
-power; tabhyam–from them; tatah–thereafter; svarat–Lord Indra; padau-
-the two feet; ca–and; nirabhidyetam–became manifested; gatih–the
process of movement; tabhyam–from them; tatah–then; harih–Lord Visnu.
TRANSLATION
Thereafter the two hands of the universal form of the Lord became
manifested, and with them the power of grasping and dropping things, and
after that Lord Indra appeared. Next the legs became manifested, and with
them the process of movement, and after that Lord Visnu appeared.TEXT 59
TEXT
nadyo ‘sya nirabhidyanta
tabhyo lohitam abhrtam
nadyas tatah samabhavann
udaram nirabhidyata
SYNONYMS
nadyah–the veins; asya–of the universal form; nirabhidyanta–became
manifested; tabhyah–from them; lohitam–blood; abhrtam–was produced;
nadyah–the rivers; tatah–from that; samabhavan–appeared; udaram–the
stomach; nirabhidyata–became manifested.
TRANSLATION
The veins of the universal body became manifested and thereafter the
red corpuscles, or blood. In their wake came the rivers (the deities
presiding over the veins), and then appeared an abdomen.TEXT 60
TEXT
ksut-pipase tatah syatam
samudras tv etayor abhut
athasya hrdayam bhinnam
hrdayan mana utthitam
SYNONYMS
ksut-pipase–hunger and thirst; tatah–then; syatam–appeared;
samudrah–the ocean; tu–then; etayoh–in their wake; abhut–appeared;
atha–then; asya–of the universal form; hrdayam–a heart; bhinnam–
appeared; hrdayat–from the heart; manah–the mind; utthitam–appeared.
TRANSLATION
Next grew feelings of hunger and thirst, and in their wake came the
manifestation of the oceans. Then a heart became manifest, and in the
wake of the heart the mind appeared.TEXT 61
TEXT
manasas candrama jato
buddhir buddher giram patih
ahankaras tato rudras
cittam caityas tato ‘bhavat
SYNONYMS
manasah–from the mind; candramah–the moon; jatah–appeared; buddhih-
-intelligence; buddheh–from intelligence; giram patih–the lord of
speech (Brahma); ahankarah–false ego; tatah–then; rudrah–Lord Siva;
cittam–consciousness; caityah–the deity presiding over consciousness;
tatah–then; abhavat–appeared.
TRANSLATION
After the mind, the moon appeared. Intelligence appeared next, and
after intelligence, Lord Brahma appeared. Then the false ego appeared and
then Lord Siva, and after the appearance of Lord Siva came consciousness
and the deity presiding over consciousness.TEXT 62
TEXT
ete hy abhyutthita deva
naivasyotthapane ‘sakan
punar avivisuh khani
tam utthapayitum kramat
SYNONYMS
ete–these; hi–indeed; abhyutthitah–manifested; devah–demigods; na-
-not; eva–at all; asya–of the virat-purusa; utthapane–in waking;
asakan–were able; punah–again; avivisuh–they entered; khani–the
apertures of the body; tam–Him; utthapayitum–to awaken; kramat–one
after another.
TRANSLATION
When the demigods and presiding deities of the various senses were
thus manifested, they wanted to wake their origin of appearance. But upon
failing to do so, they reentered the body of the virat-purusa one after
another in order to wake Him.TEXT 62
TEXT
ete hy abhyutthita deva
naivasyotthapane ‘sakan
punar avivisuh khani
tam utthapayitum kramat
SYNONYMS
ete–these; hi–indeed; abhyutthitah–manifested; devah–demigods; na-
-not; eva–at all; asya–of the virat-purusa; utthapane–in waking;
asakan–were able; punah–again; avivisuh–they entered; khani–the
apertures of the body; tam–Him; utthapayitum–to awaken; kramat–one
after another.
TRANSLATION
When the demigods and presiding deities of the various senses were
thus manifested, they wanted to wake their origin of appearance. But upon
failing to do so, they reentered the body of the virat-purusa one after
another in order to wake Him.TEXT 72
TEXT
tam asmin pratyag-atmanam
dhiya yoga-pravrttaya
bhaktya viraktya jnanena
vivicyatmani cintayet
SYNONYMS
tam–upon Him; asmin–in this; pratyak-atmanam–the Supersoul; dhiya–
with the mind; yoga-pravrttaya–engaged in devotional service; bhaktya–
through devotion; viraktya–through detachment; jnanena–through
spiritual knowledge; vivicya–considering carefully; atmani–in the body;
cintayet–one should contemplate.
TRANSLATION
Therefore, through devotion, detachment and advancement in spiritual
knowledge acquired through concentrated devotional service, one should
contemplate that Supersoul as present in this very body although
simultaneously apart from it.
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