The Creation of 23 Elements of Matter

A concise summary of Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 6

Sage Maitreya educates Vidura on the process of creation of 23 elements of matter by the Supreme Lord.

Lord Hari through his glance injects the energy of time (Kala) into the fundamental material atomic substance (pradhan). The atomic substance uses the time as a catalyst and undergoes transformations to result in prime 24 elements of matter (Prakriti). The Lord then makes spirit souls (Atma) assume the bodies made up of these material elements. The total sum of material manifestation that includes the spirit souls in material bodies is called as Mahat-Tattva.

The 23 elements of matter are:

1. 5 gross elements:

   1. Earth

   2. Water

   3. Fire

   4. Air

   5. Sky

2. 5 subtle elements:

   1. Sight

   2. Smell

   3. Sound

   4. Taste

   5. Touch

3. 10 organs of senses:

   1. Eyes

   2. Nose

   3. Ear

   4. Mouth

   5. Skin

   6. Hands

   7. Legs

   8. Mouth

   9. Rectum

   10. Genitals

4. Mind

5. False Ego (Ahamkara)

6. Intelligence (Buddhi)

Some philosophers study these 23 elements of matter as the various aspects of the Universal Form (Virata rupa) of the Supreme Lord. The Virat Rupa which is the sum total of material creation appears like a golden womb (Hiranyagarbha) when observed from outside. The Supreme Lord Vasudeva is the controller of the Virat Rupa and assumes the form of Lord Vishnu in the material creation to fulfill the purpose of maintenance.

Lord Brahma (also known as Prajapati) and Rudra (an aspect of the eternal Lord Sada Shiva) evolve from the genitals and false ego of the Virat Rupa respectively. While Lord Brahma is responsible for transforming the elements of matter into an observable material creation, Lord Rudra influences the living beings to execute work as if they are the controllers.

The four divisions of the society according to the nature of the human beings also evolved from the Virat Rupa:

• One who provides earns living through service (Sudra)

• One who supports others through agriculture (Vysya)

• One who protects others (Kshatriya)

• One who elevates other consciousness by spreading the knowledge of Vedas and Spirit (Brahmana)

Sage Maitreya concludes by saying the material creation process is not fully describable because it is created by the Yoga-Maya (illusory energy) of the Supreme Lord Hari. The same illusory energy manifests within the material creation as Durga Devi. The first living being, Lord Brahma didn’t understand the glories of the Supreme Lord completely even after performing thousands of years of penance.

He says the only reason he articulated the process of creation is to describe the glories of Lord Hari which are meant for the purification of our mind and senses. One can do the greatest benefit to himself and the society when one engages his power of our speech and power of hearing in the glories of Supreme Lord Hari.