Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 22

Brahmā’s Day, the Four Pralayas, and the Supreme Shelter Beyond Cause–Effect

Devanagari script

लय: प्राकृतिको ह्येष पुरुषाव्यक्तयोर्यदा । शक्तय: सम्प्रलीयन्ते विवशा: कालविद्रुता: ॥ २२ ॥

Transliteration

layaḥ prākṛtiko hy eṣa puruṣāvyaktayor yadā śaktayaḥ sampralīyante vivaśāḥ kāla-vidrutāḥ

Translation

此即名为“普拉克里提迦”(prākṛtika)的毁灭：当在时间之力下，至上人格与其未显现物质自然的诸能量被拆散而无可自主，失去作用，遂完全相融而归一。

Synonyms

• layaḥ: dissolution
• layaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: laya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन (Nom sg)

• prākṛtikaḥ: material, pertaining to prakṛti
• prākṛtikaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prākṛtika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन (Nom sg; agreeing with layaḥ)

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतौ/निश्चये अव्यय (indeed, for)

• eṣaḥ: this
• eṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन (Nom sg; demonstrative)

• puruṣa-avyaktayoḥ: of the Puruṣa and the Unmanifest
• puruṣa-avyaktayoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puruṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + avyakta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंस? (contextually two entities), षष्ठी/सप्तमी द्विवचन?; form is षष्ठी द्विवचन (Genitive dual): ‘of puruṣa and avyakta’; द्वन्द्व-समास (itaretara)

• yadā: when
• yadā: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yadā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (when)

• śaktayaḥ: powers, energies
• śaktayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा बहुवचन (Nom pl)

• sampralīyante: dissolve completely
• sampralīyante: Kriya (क्रिया/predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-pra-√lī (ली धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन (Present indicative, 3rd pl); आत्मनेपद

• vivaśāḥ: helpless, compelled
• vivaśāḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vivaśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा बहुवचन (Nom pl; agreeing with śaktayaḥ)

• kāla-vidrutāḥ: driven by time
• kāla-vidrutāḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāla (प्रातिपदिक) + vidruta (कृदन्त; √dru/√drut? ‘to run’ with vi-, क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा बहुवचन (Nom pl; agreeing with śaktayaḥ); तत्पुरुष: ‘कालेन विद्रुताः’ (driven by time)

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva Gosvāmī
• Mahārāja Parīkṣit
• Kāla (Time)
• Puruṣa
• Avyakta (unmanifest prakṛti)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about prākṛtika pralaya (material dissolution)?

It describes prākṛtika pralaya as the stage when the material energies (śaktis) withdraw and merge back into their source, being irresistibly driven by Time (kāla), in relation to the Supreme Puruṣa and unmanifest prakṛti.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī speak about dissolution to Mahārāja Parīkṣit?

Parīkṣit is preparing for death through hearing Bhāgavatam; Śukadeva explains pralaya to establish detachment from temporary cosmic manifestations and to focus the listener on the Supreme Person beyond Time and matter.

Practical application of the teaching of kāla (Time) in modern life?

Recognize that time inevitably dissolves all material arrangements; use that clarity to prioritize bhakti, simplify attachments, and invest daily effort in remembrance of the Supreme rather than temporary gains.