Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 13
Nimi Questions the Yogendras: Māyā, Cosmic Dissolution, Guru-Śaraṇāgati, Bhakti, and Deity Worship
वायुना हृतगन्धा भू: सलिलत्वाय कल्पते । सलिलं तद्धृतरसं ज्योतिष्ट्वायोपकल्पते ॥ १३ ॥
vāyunā hṛta-gandhā bhūḥ salilatvāya kalpate salilaṁ tad-dhṛta-rasaṁ jyotiṣṭvāyopakalpate
風が地から香りの性質を奪うと、地は水の元素へと変わる。さらに同じ風が水から味の性質を奪うと、水は火の元素へと融け入る。
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam gives several descriptions of the material creation, by which air is expanded from ether, fire from air, water from fire, and earth from water. Now, in the reverse order, the creation is wound up. Thus earth merges back into the water from which it came, and water similarly merges into fire.
FAQs
This verse explains a sequence of elemental transformation: when earth loses its defining quality (fragrance), it becomes water; when water loses its defining quality (taste), it becomes fire/light—showing how elements change when their characteristic qualities are withdrawn.
King Yadu inquired about the Avadhuta’s wisdom, and the Avadhuta taught him tattva—how material nature functions—so Yadu could develop discrimination and detachment from changing material states.
It trains one to see that material identities are unstable—when defining “qualities” change, the condition changes—so a seeker learns not to anchor happiness in temporary attributes and instead to pursue the unchanging Self and devotion to Bhagavān.