Shloka 1

Adhyāya 42 — Mahābhūta–Indriya–Adhyātma-Vyavasthā

Brahmā’s Instruction on Elements and Faculties

Devanagari script

ऑपनआक्राता बछ। अं द्विचत्वारिशोड ध्याय: अहंकारसे पञज्च महाभूतों और इन्द्रियोंकी सृष्टि

Transliteration

brahmovāca—ahaṅkārāt prasūtāni mahābhūtāni pañca vai | pṛthivī vāyur ākāśam āpo jyotiś ca pañcamam ||

Translation

Wika ni Brahmā: “Mula sa pagkamakasarili o ‘ako’-diwa (ahaṅkāra) ay sumisibol nga ang limang dakilang sangkap—lupa, hangin, kalawakan, tubig, at bilang ikalima, apoy/liwanag.” Sa aral na ito, ang kosmolohiya’y inilalatag bilang mapa ng etika at espiritu: sa pag-unawa kung paanong ang daigdig ng mga sangkap ay umuusbong mula sa panloob na prinsipyong lumilikha ng ‘ako,’ ginagabayan ang tao tungo sa pagbitaw at sa landas ng nivṛtti—ang landas ng pag-urong mula sa pagkakakilanlan sa materyal na sangkap ng karanasan.

Word by Word

• अहंकारात्: from ego-principle (ahaṅkāra)
• अहंकारात्: Apadana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहंकार
• Form: Masculine, Ablative, Singular

• प्रसूतानि: born/produced
• प्रसूतानि: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रसू
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Plural, Past passive participle (क्त)

• महाभूतानि: the great elements
• महाभूतानि: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाभूत
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Plural

• पञ्च: five
• पञ्च: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्च
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Plural

• वै: indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै

• पृथिवी: earth
• पृथिवी: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथिवी
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• वायुः: wind/air
• वायुः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: वायु
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• आकाशम्: ether/space
• आकाशम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: आकाश
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• आपः: waters
• आपः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप्
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• ज्योतिः: light/fire (tejas)
• ज्योतिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्योतिस्
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• पञ्चमम्: the fifth
• पञ्चमम्: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्चम
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वायुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā
• ahaṅkāra
• pañca mahābhūta
• pṛthivī
• vāyu
• ākāśa
• āpaḥ
• jyotiḥ

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse teaches a causal hierarchy: the five gross elements are said to arise from ahaṅkāra (ego-sense). Spiritually, it encourages seeing the material world as derivative of inner identification, supporting detachment and the nivṛtti (withdrawal) orientation.

What is happening in the narrative?

A doctrinal discourse is underway: Brahmā is presented as instructing sages about creation—specifically the emergence of the five great elements—within a broader teaching that also addresses adhyātma/adhibhūta perspectives and the path of renunciation.