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Shloka 11

Adhyāya 40: Brahmā on Mahān (The Great Principle) and the All-Pervading Puruṣa

महाभूतविनाशान्ते प्रलये प्रत्युपस्थिते । सर्वप्राणभूतां धीरा महदुत्पद्यते भयम्‌

mahābhūtavināśānte pralaye pratyupasthite | sarvaprāṇabhūtānāṃ dhīrā mahad utpadyate bhayam ||

风神伐由说道:“当大毁灭之终、五大坏灭已尽,而劫末溶解(pralaya)临近之时,则于一切众生之中,即便最为坚忍者,亦会生起巨大的恐惧。”

महाभूतविनाशान्तेat the end of the destruction of the great elements
महाभूतविनाशान्ते:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootमहाभूत-विनाश-अन्त
FormMasculine, Locative, Singular
प्रलयेin the dissolution (cosmic deluge)
प्रलये:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootप्रलय
FormMasculine, Locative, Singular
प्रतिtowards; in the direction of; (as preverb) forth/against
प्रति:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootप्रति
उपस्थितेwhen (it is) present/arrived
उपस्थिते:
Adhikarana
TypeAdjective
Rootउप-स्था (उपस्थित)
FormMasculine, Locative, Singular
सर्वप्राणभूतानाम्of all living beings
सर्वप्राणभूतानाम्:
TypeNoun
Rootसर्व-प्राण-भूत
FormMasculine, Genitive, Plural
धीराणाम्of the steadfast/wise
धीराणाम्:
TypeAdjective
Rootधीर
FormMasculine, Genitive, Plural
महत्great; intense
महत्:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootमहत्
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular
उत्पद्यतेarises; comes into being
उत्पद्यते:
TypeVerb
Rootउत्-पद्
FormPresent, Third, Singular, Atmanepada
भयम्fear
भयम्:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootभय
FormNeuter, Nominative, Singular

वायुदेव उवाच

V
Vāyu (Wind-god)
P
Pralaya (cosmic dissolution)
M
Mahābhūtas (great elements)
S
Sarva-prāṇabhūtas (all living beings)

Educational Q&A

Even the composed and wise (dhīra) can experience fear when the very foundations of the world—the great elements—collapse. The verse highlights the overwhelming power of impermanence and the need for humility and inner grounding when confronted with ultimate change.

Vāyu speaks about the approach of pralaya, describing a moment when cosmic dissolution becomes imminent. In that setting, he notes that a great fear arises among all living beings, underscoring the universal impact of the end-time.