The sixteen modifications (evolutes)

Tats_2

[Base sūtra:] The {{vikāra / vikṛti|modification}}s are sixteen.

Tats_2.c1

[Verse:] The eleven organs and the five great elements—these are just the sixteen modifications, and they do not partake of being a productive principle.

Tats_2.c2

[Verse:] Ear, skin, the two eyes, tongue, nose—this is the [set of] organs of knowledge; voice, hands, anus, generative organ, and feet are held to be the organs of action.

Tats_2.c3

[Verse:] They perform their respective actions and [give rise to] knowledge, as is required. The mind is of both natures, having the form of volition and the rest.

Tats_2.c4

[Verse:] "Instruments," "organs (indriya)"—this stream [of evolutes] is made up of the modificatory [I-maker]; they are designated as "the fixed positions" and as "the sense-faculties (akṣas)."

Tats_2.c5

[Verse:] Earth, water, fire, and also air and ether—these are just the five great elements, by reason of their service such as supporting and the rest.

Tats_2.c6

[Verse:] Water, by way of cohesion, is of service to the four [other elements]; fire by way of cooking, air by way of conveyance.

Tats_2.c7

[Verse:] Earth, possessing the five qualities beginning with sound, is held to have five qualities; water is accompanied by [the qualities] beginning with sound but is devoid of smell;

Tats_2.c8

[Verse:] fire possesses sound, touch, and form; in air, again, [there are] sound and touch; and thus in ether there is sound alone.

Tats_2.c9

[Verse:] But they are not [merely] embodied forms; rather they are of particularized configurations. The modifications are proclaimed as threefold: the placid, the terrible, and the deluded.