Shloka 5

Brahmā’s Day, the Four Pralayas, and the Supreme Shelter Beyond Cause–Effect

Devanagari script

द्विपरार्धे त्वतिक्रान्ते ब्रह्मण: परमेष्ठिन: । तदा प्रकृतय: सप्त कल्पन्ते प्रलयाय वै ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

dvi-parārdhe tv atikrānte brahmaṇaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ tadā prakṛtayaḥ sapta kalpante pralayāya vai

Translation

Wenn die zwei Hälften der Lebensspanne Brahmās, des Paramesthin, vollendet sind, lösen sich die sieben Grundelemente der Schöpfung im Pralaya auf.

Synonyms

• द्वि-परार्धे: when two parārdhas (have passed)
• द्वि-परार्धे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वि + परार्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (द्वे परार्धे यस्मिन्)

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विशेषण/विरोधार्थ (indeed/but)

• अतिक्रान्ते: having elapsed
• अतिक्रान्ते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Locative absolute)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अति-क्रम् (धातु) + क्त (प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; सप्तमी-एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग; लोकेटिव-अब्सोल्यूट (सप्तमी-सम्बन्ध) ‘when (it is) passed’

• ब्रह्मणः: of Brahmā
• ब्रह्मणः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• परमेष्ठिनः: of the Supreme Lord (Brahmā as Parameṣṭhin)
• परमेष्ठिनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परमेष्ठिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (ब्रह्मणः) इति समानाधिकरण/विशेषणवत्

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kala-adhikarana (काल-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (then)

• प्रकृतयः: the material elements/prakṛtis
• प्रकृतयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रकृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• सप्त: seven
• सप्त: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सप्तन् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्या-शब्द; प्रथमा-बहुवचनार्थे (agreeing with प्रकृतयः)

• कल्पन्ते: become fit/are arranged
• कल्पन्ते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कॢप् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन

• प्रलयाय: for dissolution
• प्रलयाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Dative purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रलय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वै: verily
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चयार्थ (indeed/verily)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā (Parameṣṭhī)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about pralaya (universal dissolution)?

This verse states that after Brahmā’s complete lifespan (two parārdhas) ends, the seven material principles of nature begin the process of dissolution, indicating a total cosmic annihilation beyond ordinary periodic destructions.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe Brahmā’s lifespan to King Parīkṣit?

Śukadeva explains vast time cycles to show the temporary nature of the cosmos—even Brahmā’s life ends—encouraging Parīkṣit to fix his mind on the eternal Supreme rather than the perishable world.

Practical application of this teaching on time and dissolution in modern life?

Reflecting that even the greatest cosmic positions and ages end helps reduce anxiety and attachment, strengthening devotion, humility, and steady focus on lasting spiritual practice (bhakti).