1. All of the movement and activity of the universe happens because of the five elements. If the five elements were to disappear the universe would not exist.
2. The listener asks the speaker, "The significance of the five elements has been stated, but what about the three attributes (gunas)? Please explain what happens to the three gunas (rajas, tamas, and sattva)."
3. The speaker replied, "The Inner-Self is the fifth element, and the three gunas are a part of this element. Make your mind alert, and see for yourself."
4. The Sanskrit word "bhoota" means element. Element means "that which has happened." The three gunas also fall into the category of "what has happened." With this explanation the root of the doubt can be broken.
5. There is nothing apart from the five elements. Everything belongs to the five elements. Nothing is separate from them, and nothing can happen without them.
6. Wind has appeared in the Inner-Self. From the wind comes the appearance of fire, and from fire comes water. This has already been explained in detail.
7. Water was spread out everywhere and it became dried up by the heat of the Sun. Due to the presence of fire and wind, earth was formed.
8. If fire, wind, and the sun were not there, it would be cold everywhere. The heat was created in that coldness. This is the process.
9. Each element is intermingled with all of the other elements, and in that mixture of elements, the vast expanse of creation has spread out everywhere. All bodies have been formed because of this balance of the elements within each other.
10. If it was only cold everywhere, all living beings would die. If there was only heat everything would become scorched.
11. The earth became condensed by the cold and became dry by the sun’s heat. In this way, God used various means for constructing the earth.
12. Thereafter, he made the rainy season which kept the earth cool. This cooling was alternated with heat, which is manifest as the winter and summer seasons.
13. In the winter season people become troubled by the cold, and the trees and other plants dry up. Therefore, when the summer season comes, there is an appreciation for the heat.
14. In those seasons also came more variety such as early morning, afternoon, evening, and night. There also came cool and warm times during the day.
15. Like this the seasons were created and organized properly in order of sequence. Because of this, the living beings everywhere have survived.
16. There are many chemicals on the earth that cause various diseases, and accordingly many medicinal herbs were also created. Through observation and analysis one can easily see the nature and order of the universe.
17. The root of the body is in the water that is in the form of blood and semen, and from that water even hard materials are formed such as the teeth and bones. The formation of many jewels in the earth can be seen to happen in the same way.
18. The basic root of everything on earth is water. Life is able to continue on because of water. If there was no water, living beings could not survive.
19. Pearls that shine like Venus as well as diamonds, rubies and sapphires all get their luminosity from water.
20. How can the greatness of one element be singled out over the others? All of the elements are intermingled together. How can one be said to be distinctively better than another?
21. Now something has been said for the mind to be able to discern and understand. Among the people there are a few who use discrimination to understand.
22. It is not possible to know everything. Even scriptures do not agree with each other. However, through speculation and guesswork one cannot gain firm conviction about anything.
23. The many qualities of God are limitless to such an extent that even the speech of the serpent with a thousand mouths (Shesha) cannot describe them. Even the rituals and instructions in the Vedas fall short without the grace of God.
24. The Self that is God sustains and protects everyone in the three worlds. Without Him, everything turns to dust.
25. Where the Inner-Self is not present, no activity takes place, and nothing can survive. Without Him, the beings of all the three worlds turn into corpses.
26. When the Self is not present in the body, there is no life, only death. Understand this inwardly with the power of discrimination.
27. How can understanding or discrimination take place without the Self? Therefore, it is fitting that everyone should have devotion for God.
28. When I made clear the nature of my worship, this question was raised. Therefore, the inquiry regarding God must be done.
29. Meditation and worship are the great support of the devotee. Without these, one does not have any support, and even if great efforts are made, success will not be achieved.
30. If there is no support from God, one will surely have to endure a great many hardships. Therefore, worship God again and again.
31. With worship, spiritual practice, and study, one is able to go beyond this world appearance. Ramdas says, "Hold firmly to these with faith and confidence."