Shloka 12

Dharma, Purity, and the Inner Purpose of the Vedas

Karma-kāṇḍa Reoriented to Bhakti

Devanagari script

धान्यदार्वस्थितन्तूनां रसतैजसचर्मणाम् । कालवाय्वग्निमृत्तोयै: पार्थिवानां युतायुतै: ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

dhānya-dārv-asthi-tantūnāṁ rasa-taijasa-carmaṇām kāla-vāyv-agni-mṛt-toyaiḥ pārthivānāṁ yutāyutaiḥ

Translation

ధాన్యము, కలప, ఎముకలు, దారము, ద్రవపదార్థములు, లోహములు, చర్మము మరియు మట్టి వస్తువులు కాలము, గాలి, అగ్ని, మట్టి మరియు నీటి ద్వారా శుద్ధి చేయబడతాయి.

Synonyms

• धान्य: grains
• धान्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धान्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन (समासपूर्वपद)

• दारु: wood
• दारु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दारु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन (समासपूर्वपद)

• अस्थि: bones
• अस्थि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्थि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन (समासपूर्वपद)

• तन्तूनाम्: of fibers (i.e., of grains/wood/bones/fibers)
• तन्तूनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तन्तु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास (समाहार/इतरेतर) के अन्तर्गत समस्तपद: धान्य-दारु-अस्थि-तन्तु; ‘of grains, wood, bones and fibers’

• रस: juices/fluids
• रस: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन (समासपूर्वपद)

• तैजस: fiery/metallic (substances)
• तैजस: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तैजस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन (समासपूर्वपद); ‘fiery/metallic substances’

• चर्मणाम्: of skins (i.e., of fluids/fiery things/skins)
• चर्मणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास: रस-तैजस-चर्मन् (of fluids, fiery substances, and skins)

• काल: by time
• काल: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन (समासपूर्वपद)

• वायु: by wind
• वायु: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वायु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन (समासपूर्वपद)

• अग्नि: by fire
• अग्नि: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन (समासपूर्वपद)

• मृत्: by earth/clay
• मृत्: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन (समासपूर्वपद)

• तोयैः: by water (i.e., by time/wind/fire/earth/water)
• तोयैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तोय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास: काल-वायु-अग्नि-मृत्-तोय; करण

• पार्थिवानाम्: of earthly (things)
• पार्थिवानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पार्थिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; विशेषण—‘earthly/material’ (qualifying the substances listed)

• युतायुतैः: by combined and separate (means)
• युतायुतैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युत + अयुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व: युत (joined/combined) + अयुत (not joined/separate) → ‘by (means) combined and uncombined’; विशेषण (instrumental qualifier)

Purport

The word kāla, or “time,” is mentioned here, since all purificatory processes take place within time.

Characters & Entities

• Krishna
• Uddhava

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the five elements creating the body?

This verse states that earthly substances—such as grains, wood, bones, fibers, bodily fluids, heat, and skin—arise through endless combinations of time and the elemental forces of air, fire, earth, and water.

Why did Krishna explain material elements to Uddhava in the Uddhava Gita?

Kṛṣṇa teaches Uddhava to see the body and its ingredients as temporary products of elements shaped by time, so that Uddhava may cultivate discrimination (viveka) and steady devotion beyond material identification.

Practical application of understanding the elements in modern life?

By remembering that the body and possessions are shifting combinations of elements under time, one reduces anxiety and attachment, and redirects attention toward lasting spiritual practice—bhakti, remembrance, and service to the Lord.