Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 3
Daśa-lakṣaṇam: The Ten Topics, Virāṭ-Puruṣa Sense-Manifestation, and the Supreme Shelter (Āśraya)
भूतमात्रेन्द्रियधियां जन्म सर्ग उदाहृत: । ब्रह्मणो गुणवैषम्याद्विसर्ग: पौरुष: स्मृत: ॥ ३ ॥
bhūta-mātrendriya-dhiyāṁ janma sarga udāhṛtaḥ brahmaṇo guṇa-vaiṣamyād visargaḥ pauruṣaḥ smṛtaḥ
അഞ്ചു ഭൂതങ്ങൾ, അഞ്ചു തന്മാത്രകൾ, അഞ്ചു ജ്ഞാനേന്ദ്രിയങ്ങൾ, മനസ്—ഈ പതിനാറിന്റെ ആദിസൃഷ്ടി ‘സർഗം’; ബ്രഹ്മാവിലൂടെ ഗുണവൈഷമ്യത്തിൽ നിന്നുണ്ടാകുന്ന തുടർസൃഷ്ടി ‘വിസർഗം’ (പൗരുഷ സൃഷ്ടി) എന്നു പറയുന്നു।
In order to explain the ten divisional symptoms of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, there are seven continuous verses. The first of these under reference pertains to the sixteen elementary manifestations of earth, water, etc., with material ego composed of material intelligence and mind. The subsequent creation is a result of the reactions of the above-mentioned sixteen energies of the first puruṣa, the Mahā-Viṣṇu incarnation of Govinda, as later explained by Brahmā in his treatise Brahma-saṁhitā (5.47) as follows:
FAQs
This verse defines sarga as the primary creation—manifestation of elements, subtle essences, senses, and intelligence—while visarga is the secondary creation performed by Brahmā through the varied interaction of the three guṇas.
In Canto 2 Chapter 10, Śukadeva is outlining the Bhagavatam’s core topics. He clarifies that Brahmā’s creative work is secondary (visarga), dependent on the guṇas, distinguishing it from the Lord’s primary cosmic manifestation.
Recognizing that moods, decisions, and outcomes shift with sattva, rajas, and tamas helps one cultivate sattva through disciplined living and devotion, reducing confusion and aligning life toward spiritual clarity.