Markandeyapurana 45.39

45.39

mahatā cāvṛtaḥ so 'pi yathāvyaraktena vai mahān /
bhūtādistu vikurvāṇaḥ śabdatanmātrakantataḥ //

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.

Now the Evolving Ahaṅkāra, modifying itself, created the subtle element[15] of sound[16] next. From the subtle element of sound came the Ether, which has the property of sound; now ether is the sound-element, and the evolving Ahaṅkāra enveloped it then. The subtle element of touch is indeed born next without doubt; the mighty Air is born, its property of touch is well known. And the air, modifying itself, created the subtle element of form; Light was produced from the air; it is said to have the property of form; the air which is the element of touch enveloped the element of form. And light, modifying itself created the subtle element of taste; therefrom indeed water also was produced; it has the property of taste; now the element of form enveloped the water[17] which is the element of taste. And the water, modifying itself, created the subtle element of smell; therefrom Solid Matter[18] is produced; smell is well known to be its property. Now in each element resides its peculiar subtle element; thereby its possession of that subtle element is a well-established fact. And hence those elements are uniform, inasmuch as no difference can be predicated. They are all neither calm, nor terrible, nor crass.[19] This is the creation of the elements and the subtle elements from Ahaṅkāra when it is characterized by darkness.