Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 27
Vidura’s Questions on Devotion and Sarga; Maitreya Begins the Account of Creation
ततोऽभवन् महत्तत्त्वमव्यक्तात्कालचोदितात् । विज्ञानात्मात्मदेहस्थं विश्वं व्यञ्जंस्तमोनुद: ॥ २७ ॥
tato ’bhavan mahat-tattvam avyaktāt kāla-coditāt vijñānātmātma-deha-sthaṁ viśvaṁ vyañjaṁs tamo-nudaḥ
তাৰপিছত শাশ্বত কালৰ প্ৰেৰণাত অব্যক্তৰ পৰা মহত্তত্ত্ব প্ৰকাশ পালে। সেই মহত্তত্ত্বত শুদ্ধ-সত্ত্বৰূপ ভগৱানে নিজৰ দিৱ্য দেহৰ পৰা বিশ্ব-প্ৰকাশৰ বীজ স্থাপন কৰি তমস দূৰ কৰিলে।
In due course of time, the impregnated material energy was manifested first as the total material ingredients. Everything takes its own time to fructify, and therefore the word kāla-coditāt, “influenced by time,” is used herein. The mahat-tattva is the total consciousness because a portion of it is represented in everyone as the intellect. The mahat-tattva is directly connected with the supreme consciousness of the Supreme Being, but still it appears as matter. The mahat-tattva, or shadow of pure consciousness, is the germinating place of all creation. It is pure goodness with the slight addition of the material mode of passion, and therefore activity is generated from this point.
FAQs
This verse explains that the mahat-tattva (cosmic intelligence) manifests from the unmanifest prakṛti when stirred by Time, and the Lord illumines and differentiates creation by entering as indwelling consciousness.
Vidura inquired about the Lord’s creative process and the nature of the universe; Maitreya answers by outlining the step-by-step manifestation, beginning here with mahat-tattva arising from the unmanifest under the impulse of Time.
The verse points to divine consciousness as the power that removes inner ignorance; in practice, cultivating remembrance of the Lord, study of śāstra, and sādhana helps replace confusion with clarity and purpose.