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Shloka 26

Brahmā’s Day, the Four Pralayas, and the Supreme Shelter Beyond Cause–Effect

यथा जलधरा व्योम्नि भवन्ति न भवन्ति च । ब्रह्मणीदं तथा विश्वमवयव्युदयाप्ययात् ॥ २६ ॥

yathā jala-dharā vyomni bhavanti na bhavanti ca brahmaṇīdaṁ tathā viśvam avayavy udayāpyayāt

यथा व्योम्नि जलधराः कदाचिद् भवन्ति कदाचिन्न भवन्ति च, तथा ब्रह्मणि विश्वमिदम् अवयवसमुदयाप्ययाभ्यां जायते नश्यति च॥

यथाjust as
यथा:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/उपमान)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootyathā (अव्यय)
Formअव्यय (indeclinable); उपमानार्थक-अव्यय (comparative: “as/just as”)
जलधराःclouds (water-bearers)
जलधराः:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootjala-dhara (प्रातिपदिक) [jala + dhara]
Formपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st); बहुवचन (Plural)
व्योम्निin the sky
व्योम्नि:
Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
TypeNoun
Rootvyoman (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th); एकवचन (Singular)
भवन्तिexist/come to be
भवन्ति:
Kriya (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootभू (धातु)
Formलट्-लकार (Present); प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person); बहुवचन (Plural); परस्मैपद
not
:
Pratishedha (प्रतिषेध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootna (अव्यय)
Formनिषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)
भवन्तिexist/come to be
भवन्ति:
Kriya (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootभू (धातु)
Formलट्-लकार (Present); प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person); बहुवचन (Plural); परस्मैपद
and
:
Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootca (अव्यय)
Formसमुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)
ब्रह्मणिin Brahman
ब्रह्मणि:
Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
TypeNoun
Rootbrahman (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th); एकवचन (Singular)
इदम्this
इदम्:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootidam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formसर्वनाम; नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc); एकवचन (Singular)
तथाso/thus
तथा:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/उपमान)
TypeIndeclinable
Roottathā (अव्यय)
Formअव्यय; प्रकारार्थक (manner: “so/thus”)
विश्वम्the universe
विश्वम्:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootviśva (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc); एकवचन (Singular)
अवयविas a whole (possessing parts)
अवयवि:
Visheshana (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootavayavin (प्रातिपदिक)
Formविशेषण; पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st); एकवचन (Singular)
उदयfrom arising
उदय:
Apadana (अपादान)
TypeNoun
Rootudaya (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग; पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th); एकवचन (Singular)
अप्ययात्from dissolution
अप्ययात्:
Apadana (अपादान)
TypeNoun
Rootapyaya (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग; पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th); एकवचन (Singular)
B
Brahman

FAQs

This verse explains that the universe appears within Brahman like clouds in the sky—experienced as real, yet not independently real—because it is a changing composite that arises and dissolves.

To help Parīkṣit grasp detachment and clear metaphysical understanding: worldly forms come and go, while the Absolute (Brahman) remains the constant substratum.

Treat changing circumstances—success, loss, status, anxiety—as passing “clouds,” and anchor your identity and purpose in the unchanging spiritual reality, cultivating steadiness, humility, and devotion.