Shloka 25
Nārada’s Questions and Brahmā’s Reply: Vāsudeva as the Source; Sarga–Visarga; Virāṭ-rūpa Mapping
तामसादपि भूतादेर्विकुर्वाणादभून्नभ: । तस्य मात्रा गुण: शब्दो लिङ्गं यद् द्रष्टृदृश्ययो: ॥ २५ ॥
tāmasād api bhūtāder vikurvāṇād abhūn nabhaḥ tasya mātrā guṇaḥ śabdo liṅgaṁ yad draṣṭṛ-dṛśyayoḥ
จากอะหังการะฝ่ายตามัส (ภูตาทิ) ที่แปรเปลี่ยน จึงเกิดธาตุแรกในห้าธาตุ คือ อากาศ รูปละเอียดของมันคือคุณสมบัติแห่งเสียง (ศัพท) ดุจเครื่องหมายแห่งความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างผู้เห็นกับสิ่งที่ถูกเห็น
The five elements, namely sky, air, fire, water and earth, are all but different qualities of the darkness of false ego. This means that the false ego in the sum total form of mahat-tattva is generated from the marginal potency of the Lord, and due to this false ego of lording it over the material creation, ingredients are generated for the false enjoyment of the living being. The living being is practically the dominating factor over the material elements as the enjoyer, though the background is the Supreme Lord. Factually, save and except the Lord, no one can be called the enjoyer, but the living entity falsely desires to become the enjoyer. This is the origin of false ego. When the bewildered living being desires this, the shadow elements are generated by the will of the Lord, and the living entities are allowed to run after them as after a phantasmagoria.
FAQs
This verse says that when the primordial source of elements transforms under tamas, ether (space) manifests as the first gross element.
Because sound is described here as ether’s defining perceivable quality (guṇa); hearing depends on the presence of space as the medium.
It encourages mindful perception: recognizing that experience depends on a medium and conditions, one can step back from impulsive reactions and cultivate clearer awareness in devotional practice.