Prashna Upanishad Verse 6.4

This verse describes the sequence of creation, with Prana being the first manifestation, followed by faith and the various physical and subtle elements.

Sanskrit

स प्राणमसृजत प्राणाच्छ्रद्धां खं वायुर्ज्योतिरापः पृथिवीन्द्रियं मनः अन्नमन्नाद्वीर्यं तपो मन्त्राः कर्मलोका लोकेषु च नाम च ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

sa prāṇamasṛjata prāṇācchraddhāṃ khaṃ vāyurjyotirāpaḥ pṛthivīndriyaṃ manaḥ annamannādvīryaṃ tapo mantrāḥ karmalokā lokeṣu ca nāma ca || 4 ||

Translation

He created Prana; from Prana faith, akasa, air, fire, water, earth, senses, mind and food; and from food, strength, contemplation, mantras, karma and worlds; and in worlds name also.

The 16 Kalas (In Order of Manifestation)

The Upanishad (6.4) lists them as follows:

1. Prāṇa (Vital Breath/Force): The first manifestation, the “spark” of life.

2. Śraddhā (Faith/Conviction): The psychological drive to seek and exist.

3. Kha (Space/Ether): The element that provides room for existence.

4. Vāyu (Air): The element of movement.

5. Jyoti (Fire/Light): The element of heat and transformation.

6. Āpaḥ (Water): The element of cohesion and life-fluid.

7. Pṛthivī (Earth): The element of solidity and structure.

8. Indriya (The Senses): The five senses of perception and five of action.

9. Manaḥ (Mind): The coordinator of the senses.

10. Annam (Food): The fuel that sustains the physical form.

11. Vīryam (Vigor/Energy): The strength or potency derived from food.

12. Tapaḥ (Austerity/Self-discipline): The focused use of energy.

13. Mantrāḥ (Sacred Sound/Knowledge): The wisdom and Vedic hymns.

14. Karma (Action): The physical and ritual deeds performed.

15. Lokāḥ (Worlds): The environments or results created by action.

16. Nāma (Name): The final identification or individuality.

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Reference: Prashna Upanishad