Shloka 27

Sāṅkhya: Categories of the Absolute Truth and the Unfolding of Creation

Tattva-vicāra

Devanagari script

वैकारिकाद्विकुर्वाणान्मनस्तत्त्वमजायत । यत्सङ्कल्पविकल्पाभ्यां वर्तते कामसम्भव: ॥ २७ ॥

Transliteration

vaikārikād vikurvāṇān manas-tattvam ajāyata yat-saṅkalpa-vikalpābhyāṁ vartate kāma-sambhavaḥ

Translation

From the false ego in the mode of goodness arises another transformation: the principle of mind. By its resolve and doubt, desire is born.

Synonyms

• vaikārikāt: from the vaikārika (mode)
• vaikārikāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vaikārika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular (एकवचन); adjective used substantively: ‘from the vaikārika (ahaṅkāra)’

• vikurvāṇāt: from (that which is) transforming
• vikurvāṇāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi√kṛ (धातु) + śatṛ (कृदन्त)
• Form: Present active participle (वर्तमानकाले शतृ), Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular; agreeing with implied source

• manaḥ-tattvam: the mind-principle
• manaḥ-tattvam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manaḥ (प्रातिपदिक) + tattva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘tattva of mind’

• ajāyata: was born/arose
• ajāyata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā√jan (धातु)
• Form: Aorist (लुङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); Ātmanepada

• yat: which
• yat: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yat (यद्-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; relative pronoun referring to manaḥ-tattva

• saṅkalpa-vikalpābhyām: by intention and doubt/alternation
• saṅkalpa-vikalpābhyām: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṅkalpa (प्रातिपदिक) + vikalpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Dual (द्विवचन); इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व: ‘by resolve and doubt/alternative’

• vartate: functions/operates
• vartate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vṛt (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; Ātmanepada

• kāma-sambhavaḥ: arising from desire
• kāma-sambhavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāma (प्रातिपदिक) + sambhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘having desire as origin’; predicate adjective of yat (mind)

Purport

The symptoms of the mind are determination and rejection, which are due to different kinds of desires. We desire that which is favorable to our sense gratification, and we reject that which is not favorable to sense gratification. The material mind is not fixed, but the very same mind can be fixed when engaged in the activities of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Otherwise, as long as the mind is on the material platform, it is hovering, and all this rejection and acceptance is asat, temporary. It is stated that he whose mind is not fixed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness must hover between acceptance and rejection. However advanced a man is in academic qualifications, as long as he is not fixed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness he will simply accept and reject and will never be able to fix his mind on a particular subject matter.

Characters & Entities

• Kapila
• Devahūti

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about how desire (kāma) arises?

This verse explains that desire arises through the mind’s activities of saṅkalpa (acceptance/resolve) and vikalpa (rejection/doubt), which generate and sustain longing.

Why did Lord Kapila explain the origin of the mind to Devahūti?

Kapila teaches Devahūti Sāṅkhya to help her understand how the subtle elements evolve and how bondage begins through the mind—so she can transcend it and attain liberation through devotional realization.

Practical application of saṅkalpa and vikalpa in modern life?

Notice how repeated mental acceptance and rejection fuels cravings; by disciplining attention (and aligning intention with bhakti and dharma), one weakens desire’s momentum and gains inner clarity.