Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 11

Paramparā of the Atharva Veda and Purāṇas; Definition of a Purāṇa

Daśa-lakṣaṇam

Devanagari script

अव्याकृतगुणक्षोभान्महतत्रिस्त्रवृतोऽहम: । भूतसूक्ष्मेन्द्रियार्थानां सम्भव: सर्ग उच्यते ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

avyākṛta-guṇa-kṣobhān mahatas tri-vṛto ’hamaḥ bhūta-sūkṣmendriyārthānāṁ sambhavaḥ sarga ucyate

Translation

From the agitation of the original modes within the unmanifest material nature, the mahat-tattva arises. From the mahat-tattva comes the element false ego, which divides into three aspects. This threefold false ego further manifests as the subtle forms of perception, as the senses and as the gross sense objects. The generation of all these is called creation.

Synonyms

• अव्याकृत-गुण-क्षोभात्: from the agitation of the unmanifest guṇas
• अव्याकृत-गुण-क्षोभात्: अपादान (Ablative source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अव्याकृत (कृदन्त; वि+आ+कृ धातु, क्त; नञ्-पूर्वक) + गुण (प्रातिपदिक) + क्षोभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (अव्याकृतस्य गुणानां क्षोभः; तस्मात्)

• महतः: of the Mahat (cosmic intelligence)
• महतः: सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी
• Type: Noun
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन

• त्रि-वृतः: covered by three (guṇas)
• त्रि-वृतः: विशेषण (qualifier of अहम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + वृत (कृदन्त; वृ धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (त्रिभिः वृतः = covered by three)

• अहमः: ego-principle (ahaṅkāra)
• अहमः: Karta/उद्देश्य (प्रथमा-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहम् (अहंकार-प्रातिपदिक; here अहम्/अहङ्कार)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (अहमः = अहङ्कारः, वैदिक/पुराणिक रूप)

• भूत-सूक्ष्म-इन्द्रिय-अर्थानाम्: of the elements, subtle elements, senses, and sense-objects
• भूत-सूक्ष्म-इन्द्रिय-अर्थानाम्: सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक) + सूक्ष्म (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व (भूतानि च सूक्ष्माणि च इन्द्रियाणि च अर्थाः च)

• सम्भवः: arising/origination
• सम्भवः: Karta/उद्देश्य (प्रथमा-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम्+भू (धातु) → सम्भव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सर्गः: (is called) creation
• सर्गः: प्रत्यय/सम्बन्ध (predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उच्यते: is said/is called
• उच्यते: क्रिया (verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about sarga (primary creation)?

It explains that creation begins when the unmanifest nature is stirred by the guṇas, producing mahat-tattva, then the threefold ahaṅkāra, and from that the elements, senses, and their objects arise—this sequence is called sarga.

Why did Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe mahat-tattva and ahaṅkāra to King Parīkṣit?

To give Parīkṣit a clear, Vedic map of how the material world manifests, helping him detach from temporary phenomena and fix his mind on the Supreme Reality while preparing for death through bhakti.

How can this teaching on guṇas and ego be applied in modern life?

By recognizing how the modes and ego shape perception and desire, one can practice humility, regulate the senses, and redirect attention from sense-objects to devotional remembrance of the Lord.