Shloka 14

Devanagari script

(१)प्रथमो महतः सर्गो विरूपो ब्रह्मणस्तु सः / (२) नन्मात्राणां द्वितीयस्तु भूतसर्गो हि स स्मृतः

Transliteration

(1)prathamo mahataḥ sargo virūpo brahmaṇastu saḥ / (2) nanmātrāṇāṃ dvitīyastu bhūtasargo hi sa smṛtaḥ

Translation

The first creation is that of Mahat (the cosmic intellect); it is called Brahmā’s “formless/undifferentiated” creation. The second, arising from the tanmātras (subtle elements), is remembered as the creation of the bhūtas—the gross elements and embodied forms.

Word by Word

• प्रथमः: first
• प्रथमः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रथम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• महतः: of Mahat (the great principle)
• महतः: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (महद्-तत्त्व), षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध/6th case), एकवचन

• सर्गः: creation, emanation
• सर्गः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• विरूपः: of varied forms, diverse
• विरूपः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• ब्रह्मणः: of Brahmā / of Brahman
• ब्रह्मणः: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध/6th case), एकवचन

• तु: indeed, but
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण/विरोधार्थक-निपात (but/indeed)

• सः: that (one), he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• तन्मात्राणाम्: of the tanmātras (subtle elements)
• तन्मात्राणाम्: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तन् (प्रातिपदिक) + मात्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध/6th case), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (तस्य मात्राः)

• द्वितीयः: second
• द्वितीयः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वितीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• तु: indeed, and
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण/विरोधार्थक-निपात

• भूतसर्गः: the creation of beings/elements
• भूतसर्गः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक) + सर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (भूतानां सर्गः)

• हि: indeed, for
• हि: Sambandha (Discourse particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (emphasis/for)

• सः: that (one), it
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• स्मृतः: is said/remembered (as)
• स्मृतः: Kriya (Predicative/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √स्मृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भावे/कर्मणि—'is called/remembered'

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Two early stages of creation: Mahat (cosmic intellect) and the tanmātra-based bhūta-sarga (elemental/gross-beings creation).

Vedantic Theme: Distinguishing subtle causes (tattvas) from gross effects; prakṛti’s evolution as a knowable order supporting viveka (discrimination).

Application: Use the sequence as a meditation scaffold: trace experience from gross elements back to subtle tanmātras and Mahat to cultivate detachment and discernment.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic principle-level (tattva)

Cross References

Related Themes: Continuation of the numbered sargas in 1.4.15–17

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Mahat
• Tanmātras
• Bhūtas

FAQs

What is the importance of Mahat in Garuda Purana cosmology?

This verse identifies Mahat (cosmic intellect) as the first stage of creation—an undifferentiated, primordial emergence that precedes the subtle elements and the visible world.

How does this verse explain the transition from subtle to gross creation?

It states that the second creation proceeds from the tanmātras (subtle essences), culminating in bhūta-sarga—the manifestation of gross elements and embodied beings.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It encourages discernment between subtle causes (thought, intention, inner tendencies) and gross effects (actions, outcomes), supporting mindful living and self-correction at the level of the mind.