Shloka 17

Paramparā of the Atharva Veda and Purāṇas; Definition of a Purāṇa

Daśa-lakṣaṇam

Devanagari script

नैमित्तिक: प्राकृतिको नित्य आत्यन्तिको लय: । संस्थेति कविभि: प्रोक्तश्चतुर्धास्य स्वभावत: ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

naimittikaḥ prākṛtiko nitya ātyantiko layaḥ saṁstheti kavibhiḥ proktaś caturdhāsya svabhāvataḥ

Translation

Существуют четыре вида космического разрушения: периодическое, природно-элементное, непрерывное и окончательное. Все они совершаются присущей силой Верховного Господа; ученые называют эту тему «самстха», то есть растворение.

Synonyms

• naimittikaḥ: occasional (periodic)
• naimittikaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: naimittika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (adjectival)

• prākṛtikaḥ: material (of प्रकृति)
• prākṛtikaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prākṛtika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• nityaḥ: constant
• nityaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• ātyantikaḥ: ultimate (absolute)
• ātyantikaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ātyantika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• layaḥ: dissolution
• layaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: laya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• saṁsthā: maintenance (steady state)
• saṁsthā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṁsthā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (इति-शब्देन सह नामनिर्देशः)

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Quotation marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: इति-प्रयोगः (quotative particle)

• kavibhiḥ: by sages/poets
• kavibhiḥ: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kavi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन

• proktaḥ: declared
• proktaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate adjective agreeing with layaḥ)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (वच्) + kta (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृतान्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि-भावः (said/declared)

• caturdhā: in four ways
• caturdhā: Visheshana (विशेषण/Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: caturdhā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of manner)

• asya: of this
• asya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• svabhāvataḥ: by nature
• svabhāvataḥ: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svabhāva (प्रातिपदिक) + tas (तस्)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb): 'by nature/from inherent nature'

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the different types of pralaya (dissolution)?

This verse states that sages describe four dissolutions—naimittika (occasional), prākṛtika (material), nitya (constant), and ātyantika (ultimate)—and also the universe’s maintenance (saṃsthā).

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī explain pralaya to Mahārāja Parīkṣit in Canto 12?

In the concluding teachings of the Bhāgavatam, Śukadeva clarifies time, creation, maintenance, and dissolution so Parīkṣit can fix his mind on the eternal Lord and transcend fear of death through spiritual understanding.

What is the practical application of ātyantika laya (ultimate dissolution) in modern life?

Ātyantika laya points to liberation—ending the false identification with the temporary body—so one can prioritize devotion, detachment, and remembrance of Bhagavān over anxiety about worldly change.