Shloka 12
Adhyāya 42 — Mahābhūta–Indriya–Adhyātma-Vyavasthā
Brahmā’s Instruction on Elements and Faculties
एकादश च यान्याहुरिन्द्रियाणि विशेषतः । अहंकारात् प्रसूतानि तानि वक्ष्याम्यहं द्विजा:,द्विजवरो! अहंकारसे उत्पन्न हुई जो मनसहित ग्यारह इन्द्रियाँ बतलायी जाती हैं, उनका अब विशेषरूपसे वर्णन करूँगा, सुनो
ekādaśa ca yāny āhur indriyāṇi viśeṣataḥ | ahaṅkārāt prasūtāni tāni vakṣyāmy ahaṃ dvijāḥ ||
Thần Vāyu nói: “Hỡi bậc tối thắng trong hàng nhị sinh, nay ta sẽ trình bày tường tận mười một năng lực—đặc biệt gọi là các căn, gồm cả tâm—được nói là phát sinh từ ngã chấp (ahaṅkāra). Hãy lắng nghe.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a Sāṅkhya-style analysis: the eleven faculties (ten senses plus mind) are presented as evolutes of ahaṅkāra. Ethically, this points to self-mastery—understanding the senses’ origin helps one restrain them and act with discernment rather than ego-driven impulse.
Vāyudeva addresses the dvijas and announces that he will give a detailed explanation of the eleven indriyas, emphasizing their emergence from ahaṅkāra. This serves as a transition into a systematic teaching about the inner instruments and their functions.