Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 12

Sāṅkhya: Categories of the Absolute Truth and the Unfolding of Creation

Tattva-vicāra

Devanagari script

महाभूतानि पञ्चैव भूरापोऽग्निर्मरुन्नभ: । तन्मात्राणि च तावन्ति गन्धादीनि मतानि मे ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

mahā-bhūtāni pañcaiva bhūr āpo ’gnir marun nabhaḥ tan-mātrāṇi ca tāvanti gandhādīni matāni me

Translation

Terdapat lima unsur kasar: bumi, air, api, angin dan eter. Juga lima unsur halus: bau, rasa, rupa/warna, sentuhan dan bunyi—demikian menurut ajaranku.

Synonyms

• mahā-bhūtāni: the great elements
• mahā-bhūtāni: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + bhūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (महानि भूतानि)

• pañca: five
• pañca: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pañca (प्रातिपदिक/संख्याशब्द)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्याशब्द; नपुंसक-बहुवचन-प्रथमा अर्थे (agreeing with mahā-bhūtāni)

• eva: indeed/only
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle/emphasis)

• bhūḥ: earth
• bhūḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhū (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• āpaḥ: waters
• āpaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ap (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (pluralia tantum)

• agniḥ: fire
• agniḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• marut: wind/air
• marut: Karta (कर्ता/Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: marut (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (वायुरर्थे)

• nabhaḥ: ether/sky
• nabhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nabhas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• tan-mātrāṇi: their subtle elements (tanmātras)
• tan-mātrāṇi: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + mātrā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (तस्य मात्राणि)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• tāvanti: so many/as many
• tāvanti: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tāvat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; परिमाणवाचक (agreeing with tan-mātrāṇi)

• gandha-ādīni: smell and the rest (taste, form, touch, sound)
• gandha-ādīni: Karta (कर्ता/Apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandha (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (गन्धः आदिः येषां तानि)

• matāni: are considered
• matāni: Karma (कर्म/Predicative complement)
• Type: Verb
• Root: man (धातु) → mata (कृदन्त/क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (predicative)

• me: by me/of me
• me: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

Characters & Entities

• Kapila
• Devahuti

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the five great elements (pañca-mahābhūta)?

This verse lists the five gross elements as earth, water, fire, air, and ether, forming the basic structure of the material world.

Why did Lord Kapila explain the tan-mātras and mahābhūtas to Devahuti?

Kapila teaches Devahuti Sāṅkhya analysis so she can distinguish spirit from matter; understanding the elements and their subtle causes supports detachment and steady devotion.

Practical application of understanding the elements and tan-mātras in modern life?

Seeing sense-objects (smell, taste, form, touch, sound) as subtle material categories helps one regulate the senses, reduce attachment, and redirect attention toward bhakti.