Shloka 23

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

Tattva-vicāra

Devanagari script

महत्तत्त्वाद्विकुर्वाणाद्भगवद्वीर्यसम्भवात् । क्रियाशक्तिरहङ्कारस्त्रिविध: समपद्यत ॥ २३ ॥ वैकारिकस्तैजसश्च तामसश्च यतो भव: । मनसश्चेन्द्रियाणां च भूतानां महतामपि ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

mahat-tattvād vikurvāṇād bhagavad-vīrya-sambhavāt kriyā-śaktir ahaṅkāras tri-vidhaḥ samapadyata

Translation

ଭଗବାନଙ୍କ ଶକ୍ତିରୁ ଉତ୍ପନ୍ନ ମହତ୍ତତ୍ତ୍ୱ ବିକୃତ ହେଲେ ଅହଂକାର ଜନ୍ମ ନେଲା। କ୍ରିୟାଶକ୍ତି ପ୍ରଧାନ ଏହି ଅହଂକାର ତ୍ରିବିଧ—ବୈକାରିକ (ସାତ୍ତ୍ୱିକ), ତୈଜସ (ରାଜସ) ଓ ତାମସ। ଏହି ତିନି ପ୍ରକାର ଅହଂକାରରୁ ମନ, ଜ୍ଞାନେନ୍ଦ୍ରିୟ, କର୍ମେନ୍ଦ୍ରିୟ ଏବଂ ସ୍ଥୂଳ ମହାଭୂତ ଉତ୍ପନ୍ନ ହୁଏ।

Synonyms

• mahat-tattvāt: from the mahat-tattva (great principle)
• mahat-tattvāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahat (प्रातिपदिक) + tattva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Ablative (पञ्चमी/5), Singular; compound: 'great principle'

• vikurvāṇāt: from (that) transforming/evolving (principle)
• vikurvāṇāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (कृ धातु) with vi-; vikurvāṇa (कृदन्त)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ/कृदन्त), Neuter, Ablative, Singular; agrees with mahat-tattvāt (source characterized as 'transforming')

• bhagavad-vīrya-sambhavāt: from the arising of the Lord's potency
• bhagavad-vīrya-sambhavāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक) + vīrya (प्रातिपदिक) + sambhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter compound used as Neuter, Ablative (पञ्चमी/5), Singular; tatpuruṣa: 'arising from the potency of Bhagavān'

• kriyā-śaktiḥ: the power of action
• kriyā-śaktiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kriyā (प्रातिपदिक) + śakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular; 'power of action'

• ahaṅkāraḥ: ego-principle (ahaṅkāra)
• ahaṅkāraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ahaṅkāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; in apposition with kriyā-śaktiḥ

• tri-vidhaḥ: threefold
• tri-vidhaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tri (प्रातिपदिक) + vidha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; dvigu: 'threefold'; agrees with ahaṅkāraḥ

• samapadyata: came into being/manifested
• samapadyata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pad (पद् धातु) with sam-; samapadyata
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

Purport

In the beginning, from clear consciousness, or the pure state of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the first contamination sprang up. This is called false ego, or identification of the body as self. The living entity exists in the natural state of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, but he has marginal independence, and this allows him to forget Kṛṣṇa. Originally, pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness exists, but because of misuse of marginal independence there is a chance of forgetting Kṛṣṇa. This is exhibited in actual life; there are many instances in which someone acting in Kṛṣṇa consciousness suddenly changes. In the Upaniṣads it is therefore stated that the path of spiritual realization is just like the sharp edge of a razor. The example is very appropriate. One shaves his cheeks with a sharp razor very nicely, but as soon as his attention is diverted from the activity, he immediately cuts his cheek because he mishandles the razor.

Characters & Entities

• Kapila
• Devahūti
• Bhagavān (the Supreme Lord)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the origin of ahaṅkāra (false ego)?

In Canto 3, Kapila explains that ahaṅkāra arises from the evolving mahat-tattva, activated by the Supreme Lord’s potency, and it manifests in three divisions.

Why does Lord Kapila describe creation to Devahūti in Bhagavatam 3.26?

He teaches her Sāṅkhya analysis so she can distinguish spirit from matter, loosen identification with ego, and progress toward devotion and liberation.

Practical application of understanding ahaṅkāra in modern life?

By recognizing ego as a created material principle, one can reduce possessiveness and pride, act with humility, and redirect identity toward service to the Supreme.