Shloka 5
Mahālakṣmī’s Forms, Brahmā’s Fourfold Origin, Vāyu’s Names and Soteriology, and Bhāratī’s Manifestations
सृष्टिं कर्तुं गुणान्वीन्द्र पुरुषेण सह प्रभो / तमः पानं तथा कर्तुं प्रकृत्याख्या तदाभवत्
sṛṣṭiṃ kartuṃ guṇānvīndra puruṣeṇa saha prabho / tamaḥ pānaṃ tathā kartuṃ prakṛtyākhyā tadābhavat
सृष्टिं कर्तुं गुणान्विता प्रकृतिः पुरुषेण सह, प्रभो; तमः पानं कर्तुं च सा ‘प्रकृतिः’ इति तदा अभवत्।
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra, cosmological instruction)
Concept: Prakriti arises/operates for creation in conjunction with Purusha and the gunas; includes the function of ‘tamas-pāna’—absorbing/holding inertia/darkness as part of cosmic balance.
Vedantic Theme: Guna dynamics in manifestation; tamas as necessary limiting principle for form and differentiation; Ishvara’s governance implied by address ‘Prabho’.
Application: Observe tamas in oneself (inertia, confusion) as a guna-function; cultivate sattva through disciplined routine and devotion, using rajas constructively while reducing tamasic absorption.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: cosmology/creation accounts and guna discussions (general internal thematic parallel)
FAQs
This verse presents Prakṛti as the principle that arises for enabling creation alongside Puruṣa, functioning as the matrix through which the guṇas operate in manifestation.
It indicates that Prakṛti is also meant to 'take in' or absorb tamas—signifying that inertia and obscuration are integral components within the manifesting field of nature.
Recognize that clarity (sattva), activity (rajas), and inertia (tamas) all arise within nature; cultivate sattva through disciplined living while consciously reducing tamasic habits like negligence and harmful indulgence.