The Birth of the Elements

Meaning—Mahadeva The Great God, Shiva said: This universe is born from the elements Tattvas: the fundamental building blocks of reality, it is sustained by the elements, and it dissolves back into the elements. Therefore, understand that the ultimate determination of all things lies within these elements. || 4 ||

The Goddess spoke: The elements alone are the supreme root, as determined by those who speak of truth. O Lord, what is the true nature of these elements? Please reveal this to me. || 5 ||

The Lord spoke: The Supreme Lord is the one stainless, formless Divinity. From Him, space original: "Akasha" was born, and from space, air was produced. || 6 ||

From air came fire, from fire came water, and from water, the earth was born. These are the five elements, which expand fivefold. || 7 ||

Meaning—Mahadeva said: From air came fire original: "Tejas", from fire came water, and from water, the earth was produced. These five elements each expand in five ways; that is to say, through the process of fivefold quintuplication Panchikarana: the Vedantic theory of how subtle elements combine to form the material world, they become twenty-five variations. || 7 ||

From these, the universe was born; by them, it is sustained. It dissolves back into them, and within them, it rests again. || 8 ||