Adhyāya 42 — Mahābhūta–Indriya–Adhyātma-Vyavasthā
Brahmā’s Instruction on Elements and Faculties
अहंकारस्तथाध्यात्मं सर्वसंसारकारकम्
ahaṅkāras tathādhyātmaṁ sarvasaṁsārakārakam
वायु ने कहा— अहंकार भी अध्यात्म (स्व-परिचय से भ्रान्त रूप में ग्रहण किया हुआ) है, और वही समस्त संसार-चक्र को उत्पन्न करने वाला कारण बनता है।
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.