Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.20.13
Sarga· CreationMaterial Nature Unfolds in Groups
“As impelled by the destiny of the jīva, the false ego, which is of three kinds, evolved from the mahat-tattva, in which the element of rajas predominates. From the ego, in turn, evolved many groups of five principles.”
What the purport teaches
- Impelled by the destiny of the jīva, three kinds of false ego evolved from the mahat-tattva, in which passion predominates.
- The five material elements are earth, water, fire, air and ether. The five subtle sense objects are sound, touch, form, taste and smell.
- The senses for acquiring knowledge are eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin; the working senses are speech, hands, feet, anus and genitals. Some count a fifth group consisting of the five controlling deities.
Try this today
Make a short list of the four groups of five described in the purport.
Ask yourself
How does this organized description help me understand the components of material nature?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.