Shloka 39

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

Tattva-vicāra

Devanagari script

द्रव्याकृतित्वं गुणता व्यक्तिसंस्थात्वमेव च । तेजस्त्वं तेजस: साध्वि रूपमात्रस्य वृत्तय: ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

dravyākṛtitvaṁ guṇatā vyakti-saṁsthātvam eva ca tejastvaṁ tejasaḥ sādhvi rūpa-mātrasya vṛttayaḥ

Translation

My virtuous mother, the traits of form are known by dimension and shape, by quality, and by individual distinctness. The form of fire is recognized by its tejas—its radiant effulgence.

Synonyms

• द्रव्य-आकृतित्वम्: material form-ness
• द्रव्य-आकृतित्वम्: Viśeṣya (विशेष्य; listed attribute)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रव्य (प्रातिपदिक) + आकृति (प्रातिपदिक) + त्व (प्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष—‘द्रव्यस्य आकृतित्वम्’ (having material form)

• गुणता: quality-ness; being a guṇa
• गुणता: Viśeṣya (विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुणता (प्रातिपदिक; गुण + ता)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1 विभक्ति), एकवचन; भाववाचक-नाम

• व्यक्ति-संस्थात्वम्: manifest configuration-ness
• व्यक्ति-संस्थात्वम्: Viśeṣya (विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यक्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + संस्था (प्रातिपदिक) + त्व (प्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष—‘व्यक्तेः संस्थात्वम्’ (state of manifest configuration)

• एव: indeed; just
• एव: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चय/अवधारण-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• तेजस्त्वम्: fiery nature; tejas-ness
• तेजस्त्वम्: Viśeṣya (विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक) + त्व (प्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; भाववाचक-नाम

• तेजसः: of fire/tejas
• तेजसः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• साध्वि: O good lady (address)
• साध्वि: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साध्वी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8 विभक्ति), एकवचन; संबोधन-प्रयोग (vocative)

• रूप-मात्रस्य: of mere form
• रूप-मात्रस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रूप (प्रातिपदिक) + मात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष—‘रूपस्य मात्रम्’ (mere form)

• वृत्तयः: functions; operations
• वृत्तयः: Karta (कर्ता; predicate-nominative list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृत्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

Purport

Every form that we appreciate has its particular dimensions and characteristics. The quality of a particular object is appreciated by its utility. But the form of sound is independent. Forms which are invisible can be understood only by touch; that is the independent appreciation of invisible form. Visible forms are understood by analytical study of their constitution. The constitution of a certain object is appreciated by its internal action. For example, the form of salt is appreciated by the interaction of salty tastes, and the form of sugar is appreciated by the interaction of sweet tastes. Tastes and qualitative constitution are the basic principles in understanding the form of an object.

Characters & Entities

• Kapila
• Devahuti

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about rūpa-tanmātra (the subtle element of form)?

In Canto 3 Chapter 26, Kapiladeva explains that rūpa-tanmātra’s functions include giving perceivable shape to substances, supporting the manifestation of qualities, establishing individuality, and expressing itself as the brilliance of fire.

Why did Kapiladeva explain the functions of ‘form’ to Devahuti?

Devahuti asked for clear knowledge of material nature and liberation; Kapiladeva teaches Sāṅkhya step-by-step, describing how subtle elements operate and lead to the experience of the material world.

Practical application of this verse in modern life?

It trains one to distinguish between subtle causes and visible effects—reducing material confusion and strengthening detachment, so devotion can be practiced with clearer understanding of how perception and matter function.