तत्त्वानां संग्रहे यस्मान्महांश्च परिमाणतः
Because it contains the essence of the principles and is great in measure,
विभक्तिमानं मनुते विभागं मन्यते ऽपि वा
It perceives division and also considers separation.
बृहत्त्वाद्वृंहणत्वाच्च भावानामखिलाश्रयात्
Because of its vastness, its capacity to expand, and as the support of all entities,
आपूरयति यस्माच्च सर्वान् देहाननुग्रहैः
And because it fills all bodies with its favors,
तस्मिंस्तु कार्यकरणं संसिद्धं ब्रह्मणः पुरा
In it, the function and instrument of Brahman were formerly established.
स वै शरीरी प्रथमः पुरा पुरुष उच्यते
He, possessing a body, is called the first person (puruṣa) from the beginning.
आदिकर्त्ता स भूतानां ब्रह्माग्रे समवर्त्तिनाम्
He is the original creator of beings, the Brahman who existed first.
सर्गे च प्रतिसर्गे च क्षेत्रज्ञो ब्रह्म संसितः
In creation and dissolution, the knower of the field, Brahman, remains steadfast.
भजन्ते च पुनर्देहांस्ते समाहारसंधिसु
And again, at the conjunctions of cycles, bodies are assumed by them.
गर्तोदकं सबुदास्तु हरेयुश्चापि पञ्चताः
Let the wise know that, like water in a pit, they dissolve into the five elements.
पृथिवी सप्तभिर्द्वीपैः समुद्रैः सह सप्तभिः
The earth with its seven continents, together with the seven oceans,
अन्तःस्थस्य त्विमे लोका अन्तर्विश्वमिदं जगत्
These worlds exist within it; indeed, this entire universe is within.
लोकालोकं च यत् किञ्चिदण्डे तस्मिन्प्रतिष्टितम्
Whatever exists as worlds and non-worlds within the cosmic egg is established therein.
तेजो दशगुणेनैव बाह्यतो वायुना वृतम्
Outside, it is enveloped by wind, and that is covered by fire, tenfold in intensity.
आकाशमावृतं सर्वं बहिर्भूतादिना तथा
All of space is likewise enclosed outside by the element of earth and the others.
एभिरावरणैरण्डं सप्तभिः प्राकृतैर्वृतम्
Thus, the cosmic egg is covered by these seven natural sheaths.
प्रसर्गकाले स्थित्वा च ग्रसंतस्च परस्परम्
At the time of creation, they remain, and then they consume each other in turn.
आधाराधेयभावेन विकारास्ते विकारिषु
These modifications exist in relation of support and supported, among the modified entities.
इत्येवं प्राकृतः सर्गः क्षेत्रज्ञाधिष्ठितस्तु सः
Thus, this is the natural creation, presided over by the knower of the field.
आयुष्मान्कीर्तिमान्धन्यः प्रज्ञावांश्च न संशयः
He is long-lived, renowned, fortunate, and wise—of this there is no doubt.
साधर्म्येणावतिष्ठेते प्रधानपुरुषौ तदा
Then, the Pradhāna and the Puruṣa remain together, sharing the same nature.
अनुद्रिक्तावनुचरौ तेन प्रोक्तौ परस्परम्
They are called mutual followers, neither exceeding nor lagging behind the other.
सत्त्ववृद्धौ स्थितिरभूद् ध्रुवं पद्म शिखास्थितम्
When sattva increases, there is stability, fixed like the tip of a lotus.
रजः प्रवर्तकं तच्च बीजेष्विव यथा जलम्
Rajas is the principle of activity, just as water is for seeds.
गुणेभ्यः क्षोभ्यमाणेभ्यस्त्रयो ज्ञेया हि सादरे
When the qualities are agitated, three should be understood with care.
सत्त्वं विष्णू रजो ब्रह्मा तमो रुद्रः प्रजापतिः
Sattva is Viṣṇu, rajas is Brahmā, tamas is Rudra, the lord of creatures.
जायते च यतश्चत्रा लोकसृष्टिर्महोजसः
And from these arises the creation of the worlds, endowed with great energy.
सत्त्वप्रकाशको विष्णुः स्थितित्वेन व्यवस्थितः
Viṣṇu, manifesting sattva, is established as the principle of preservation.
एत एव त्रयो वेदा एत एव त्रजो ऽग्नयः
These very three are the Vedas; these very three are the sacred fires.
परस्परेण वर्तन्ते प्रेरयन्ति परस्परम्
They interact with each other, impelling one another.