Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 23
Sāṅkhya of Creation and Annihilation
Sarga–Nirodha-viveka
अन्ने प्रलीयते मर्त्यमन्नं धानासु लीयते । धाना भूमौ प्रलीयन्ते भूमिर्गन्धे प्रलीयते ॥ २२ ॥ अप्सु प्रलीयते गन्ध आपश्च स्वगुणे रसे । लीयते ज्योतिषि रसो ज्योती रूपे प्रलीयते ॥ २३ ॥ रूपं वायौ स च स्पर्शे लीयते सोऽपि चाम्बरे । अम्बरं शब्दतन्मात्र इन्द्रियाणि स्वयोनिषु ॥ २४ ॥ योनिर्वैकारिके सौम्य लीयते मनसीश्वरे । शब्दो भूतादिमप्येति भूतादिर्महति प्रभुः ॥ २५ ॥ स लीयते महान् स्वेषु गुणेषु गुणवत्तमः । तेऽव्यक्ते सम्प्रलीयन्ते तत् काले लीयतेऽव्यये ॥ २६ ॥ कालो मायामये जीवे जीव आत्मनि मय्यजे । आत्मा केवल आत्मस्थो विकल्पापायलक्षणः ॥ २७ ॥
anne pralīyate martyam annaṁ dhānāsu līyate dhānā bhūmau pralīyante bhūmir gandhe pralīyate
Der Duft verschmilzt mit dem Wasser und das Wasser mit seiner Eigenschaft, dem Geschmack. Der Geschmack verschmilzt mit dem Feuer und das Feuer mit der Form.
The annihilation of the material world is the reversal of the process of creation, and ultimately everything is merged to rest within the Supreme Lord, who remains full in His absolute position.
FAQs
This verse explains a step in pralaya: fragrance merges into water, water into taste, taste into fire, and fire into form—showing how gross elements withdraw into subtler principles.
Kṛṣṇa teaches Uddhava to see the world as temporary and analyzable into elements, strengthening detachment (vairāgya) and steady devotion beyond matter.
Reflecting that sensory experiences reduce to changing material qualities helps reduce obsession with pleasure and supports a calmer, more devotional focus on the eternal Self and Bhagavān.