俱舍論頌疏論本 1.105

1.105

釋曰：大種謂四界者，標也。三義釋大：一、體寬廣故，謂四大種遍所造色，其體寬廣。二、增盛聚中形相大故，謂大地大山，地增盛；大江大海，水增盛；炎爐猛焰，火增盛；黑風團風，風增盛。三、能起種種大事用故，如地能持世界，火能壞初禪，水能壞二禪，風能壞三禪。一義釋種，與所造色為所依故，故名為種。大則是種，故名大種。能持自性故，名為界。

The commentary states: 'The great elements are the four realms' is the heading. Three meanings explain 'great': (1) Because their substance is vast: the four great elements pervade all derived forms, and their substance is vast. (2) Because their shape and appearance are great in prominent aggregates: in the great earth and great mountains, earth is prominent; in great rivers and great oceans, water is prominent; in blazing furnaces and fierce flames, fire is prominent; in gale-force winds and whirlwinds, wind is prominent. (3) Because they can initiate various great functions: like earth being able to support the world, fire being able to destroy the first dhyāna, water being able to destroy the second dhyāna, and wind being able to destroy the third dhyāna. One meaning explains 'element' (seed): because it is the support for derived forms, it is called a seed. Being great, it is thus a seed; therefore it is called a 'great element' (mahābhūta). Because they can maintain their own nature, they are called 'realms' (dhātu).