Markandeyapurana 45.37

45.37

yathā bījaṃ tvacā tadvadavyaktenāvṛto mahān /
sāttviko rājasaścaiva tāmasaśca tridhoditaḥ //

Then from him, in whom the three qualities existed in equipoise, and in whom the Soul[9] became prevalent, O Muni; and next from the coming into existence of the qualities which were being created, at the time of creation the first principle Pradhāna came into existence. It enveloped Mahat;[10] as the seed is enveloped by its rind, even so Mahat was enveloped by the Imperceptible. It is three-fold, that characterized by goodness, that by passion, and that by ignorance. Then from it was evolved Ahaṅkāra,[11] which is three-fold, the Modifying,[12] the Energizing,[13] and the Evolving[14] which is characterized by darkness. And it was enveloped by Mahat, just as Mahat was by the Imperceptible.