The Process of creation as in "Srimad Bhaagavatham"

The Process of Creation

Kindly concentrate while reading as it is a deep concept. Moola prakrti (non sentient-acit) is the material used for creation. Brahmam itself is the material cause for creation as this prakrti is an inseparable body of Brahmam.

The progressive steps in creation are:

1. Moola Prakriti transforms to Mahaan (the representative of buddhi)

2. Mahaan transforms to ahankaram

3. Ahankaram gets classified as saatvika raajasa and taamasa ahankaram

4. Five senses of knowledge (eyes, ears, touch skin, nose, tongue) five senses of action (speech, hands, legs, genitals, and anal opening) along with their master Manas (mind) are born from saatvika ahankaram ((total 11)

5. Five gross elements (prthvi, ap, tejas, vayu and akasam) and five subtle elements (sabda, sparsa, rupa, rasa and gandha) (total 10) are born from taamasa ahankaram. (raajasa ahankaram behaves as an overseer). The five gross elements are known as panca bhoota and five subtle elements are known as panca tanmaatra. Each subtle element is a quality of a gross element. Sabda for akasa, sparsa for vayu, rupa for agni, rasa for jalam, gandha for prthvi.

The order of creation here is: First sabda tanmaatra is created from tamaasa ahankara. In turn it expands as akasa and also gives birth to sparsa tanmaatra. Sparsa tanmaatra expands as vayu and also gives birth to rupa tanmaaatra. Rupa tanmaatra expands to agni and also gives birth to rasa tanmaatra. Rasa tanmaatra expands to jalam and also gives birth to gandha tanmaatra. Gandha tanmaatra expands to prthvi. (try drawing this with pictures and arrows for easy remembrance)

6. A process called pancheekaranam takes place i.e. the five gross elements earth, water, fire, air and ether are alloyed. One half of each element (50%) is divided into four parts (12.5%) and each part is mixed with the other four elements. For example earth is divided into two - one half is left to remain as earth and the other half is further divided into four parts and added to water, fire, air and ether. A similar action happens with the other four elements.

7. This mixed prime material is made as andam comprising of 14 worlds. A punya atma caturmukha brahma gets created in the naabhi (naval) of Brahmam. Till this point of creation it is known as samasti srsti which is handled by Parabrahmam Sriman Narayana Himself.

8. Further the Four Headed Brahma who is also a jivatma continues creation of all other beings such as deva , manushya, animals, flora and fauna. This creation is known as vyasti srsti
 

9. It is natural that a child imbibes the quality of its parents and ancestors. Similarly owing to the order of creation (and pancheekaranam) ether born first has one quality - sabda (sound). Born second, Air carries its own quality sparsa (touch feel) and also sabda. Likewise born third Fire has three qualities sabda, sparsa and rupa (colour), born fourth Water carries four qualities sabda, sparsa, rupa and rasa (taste) and born last Earth carries all five qualities sabda, sparsa, rupa, rasa and gandha (odour).