Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 20.276
Three Forms of Material Egotism
“First the total material energy is manifested, and from this arise the three types of egotism, which are the original sources from which all demigods [controlling deities], senses and material elements expand.
What the purport teaches
- The total material energy manifests first and transforms into three types of egotism: vaikārika, taijasa and tāmasa. Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa is their predominating Deity.
- From vaikārika, egotism in goodness, comes the mind, whose predominating Deity is Aniruddha. From taijasa, egotism in passion, come the active and knowledge-acquiring senses, along with intelligence, whose predominating Deity is Lord Pradyumna.
- From tāmasa, egotism in ignorance, sound vibration expands. From sound comes the sky, and then the senses beginning with hearing are manifested.
Try this today
Make a three-row chart today listing each type of egotism and what arises from it.
Ask yourself
How does tracing the mind and senses to these sources help you understand the verse’s account of material creation?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.