Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 12.4.20-21
Nirodha· Winding upPradhāna Is the Unmanifest Material Basis
“In the unmanifest stage of material nature, called pradhāna, there is no expression of words, no mind and no manifestation of the subtle elements beginning from the mahat, nor are there the modes of goodness, passion and ignorance. There is no life air or intelligence, nor any senses or demigods. There is no definite arrangement of planetary systems, nor are there present the different stages of consciousness — sleep, wakefulness and deep sleep. There is no ether, water, earth, air, fire or sun. The situation is just like that of complete sleep, or of voidness. Indeed, it is indescribable. Authorities in spiritual science explain, however, that since pradhāna is the original substance, it is the actual basis of material creation.”
What the purport teaches
- In pradhāna, words, mind, subtle elements and the three modes are not manifest. Life air, intelligence, senses and demigods are also absent.
- There are no arranged planetary systems, states of consciousness, material elements or sun. This indescribable condition is compared to complete sleep or voidness.
- Yet pradhāna is not simply nothing. Authorities in spiritual science explain that it is the original substance and actual basis of material creation.
Try this today
Write one sentence explaining why unmanifest nature remains the basis of material creation.
Ask yourself
Why is the comparison to voidness different from saying that pradhāna is nothing?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.