Shloka 22
नैमित्तिक-प्राकृत-प्रलयवर्णनम्
Periodic and Elemental Dissolution; Reabsorption into Paramātman
प्रशाम्यति तदा ज्योतिर् वायुर् दोधूयते महान् निरालोके तदा लोके वाय्ववस्थे च तेजसि
praśāmyati tadā jyotir vāyur dodhūyate mahān nirāloke tadā loke vāyvavasthe ca tejasi
Then radiance is quenched, and the mighty Wind is violently stirred. When the world is left without light—when Fire has entered its withdrawn condition—the cosmos abides in a state ruled by Wind alone, as the elements retreat in dissolution.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
Creation Stage: Primary
Cosmic Hierarchy: Brahmanda
Concept: As tejas withdraws, light is extinguished and the cosmos becomes wind-dominated, illustrating dissolution as a lawful regression of elements and their functions.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Use the imagery of fading light to practice inwardness: when external ‘illumination’ ceases, stabilize attention on the witnessing Self.
Vishishtadvaita: The world’s order persists even in dissolution—an intelligible, governed process—supporting a dependent reality regulated by the Supreme.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Jagat Karana: Yes
FAQs
It marks the cessation of tejas (light/fire) as the elements begin to withdraw, signaling a transition toward deeper dissolution where ordinary cosmic functions no longer operate.
He presents pralaya as a graded reabsorption: one element’s active function ceases and is absorbed into subtler conditions, here showing tejas fading and the world entering a wind-dominated phase.
Even as light and elemental order collapse, the process is not random—pralaya unfolds under the sovereignty of Vishnu as the Supreme ground of being, into whom the cosmos is ultimately withdrawn.