Adhyāya 42 — Mahābhūta–Indriya–Adhyātma-Vyavasthā
Brahmā’s Instruction on Elements and Faculties
अहंकारस्तथाध्यात्मं सर्वसंसारकारकम्
ahaṅkāras tathādhyātmaṁ sarvasaṁsārakārakam
વાયુએ કહ્યું— અહંકાર પણ અધ્યાત્મ છે; એ જ સમગ્ર સંસારચક્રને ઉત્પન્ન કરનાર કારણ બને છે.
वायुदेव उवाच
The verse identifies ahaṅkāra (egoic ‘I’-sense) as a primary generator of saṁsāra: when one clings to identity and ownership, actions and experiences bind the mind, perpetuating worldly entanglement. The instruction implicitly urges loosening self-identification to move toward liberation-oriented living.
Vāyudeva is speaking in a didactic context, offering a concise doctrinal statement: he points to egoism and inward self-identification as causal factors behind continued worldly existence, framing the discussion toward ethical restraint and spiritual discernment.