Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.2446

c8.2446

The Mahattattva originated from Prakṛti, which was existing as emotionless due to the equalisation of the three guṇas, when at the time of creation Viṣṇu, Truth in the form of Kṣetrajña (knower), merged with Prakṛti. The Mahattattva in its three forms, Sattva, Rajas and Tamas lay enveloped by Prakṛti just as a seed is covered by its husk. From this Mahattattva originated the three egos, Vaikārika, Taijasa and Tāmasa, the cause of the Pañcabhūtas. Because that ego contained the three guṇas it became the cause of the origin of the bhūtas (elements) and indriyas (senses). Ego pervaded the Mahattattva just as the Mahattattva pervaded (Aṃśa 1, Chapter 2, Viṣṇu Purāṇa).