Shloka 3
Adhyāya 42 — Mahābhūta–Indriya–Adhyātma-Vyavasthā
Brahmā’s Instruction on Elements and Faculties
महाभूतविनाशान्ते प्रलये प्रत्युपस्थिते । सर्वप्राणभूतां धीरा महदशभ्युद्यते भयम्,धैर्यशाली महर्षियो! महाभूतोंका नाश होते समय जब प्रलयका अवसर आता है, उस समय समस्त प्राणियोंको महान् भय प्राप्त होता है
mahābhūtavināśānte pralaye pratyupasthite | sarvaprāṇabhūtānāṃ dhīrā mahad abhyudyate bhayam ||
Vāyu said: “When the dissolution draws near and the great elements reach their end, a time of pralaya stands at the door. Then a vast fear rises in all living beings. Even so, the wise are called to steadiness—meeting cosmic upheaval with discernment rather than panic.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that fear naturally arises when the world-order collapses, yet it implicitly commends the stance of the wise: to face impermanence with steadiness and understanding rather than being overwhelmed by terror.
Vāyudeva speaks about the approach of pralaya—the end of the great elements—describing how, at such a cosmic crisis, all beings are seized by great fear.