Shloka 14
Brahmā’s Day, the Four Pralayas, and the Supreme Shelter Beyond Cause–Effect
तदा भूमेर्गन्धगुणं ग्रसन्त्याप उदप्लवे । ग्रस्तगन्धा तु पृथिवी प्रलयत्वाय कल्पते ॥ १४ ॥
tadā bhūmer gandha-guṇaṁ grasanty āpa uda-plave grasta-gandhā tu pṛthivī pralayatvāya kalpate
جب ہر طرف سیلابِ آب ہوگا تو پانی زمین کی خاص صفتِ خوشبو کو نگل لے گا؛ خوشبو سے محروم عنصرِ ارضی قیامتِ پرلَی میں تحلیل ہونے کے لائق ہو جائے گا۔
As clearly explained throughout Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the first element, sky, possesses the unique quality of sound. As creation expands, the second element, air, comes into being, and it possesses sound and touch. The third element, fire, possesses sound, touch and form, and the fourth element, water, possesses sound, touch, form and flavor. The earth possesses sound, touch, form, flavor and aroma. As each element loses its unique distinguishing quality, it naturally becomes indistinguishable from the more subtle elements and is thus effectively dissolved as a unique entity.
FAQs
This verse explains that in the deluge the waters absorb the earth’s defining quality—fragrance (gandha). Once that quality is withdrawn, the earth is ready to dissolve as part of the step-by-step pralaya process.
Śukadeva is outlining the क्रमिक (gradual) dissolution of the gross elements, showing how each element’s characteristic sense-quality is absorbed by the next, illustrating the temporary nature of the material cosmos.
It trains detachment: even the solid earth and its qualities are temporary, so one should invest consciousness in the eternal—Bhagavān and bhakti—rather than in perishable material identities.