catvari -- four; eva -- also; iti -- thus; tatra -- in that case; api -- even; tejah -- fire; apah -- water; annam -- earth; atmanah -- from the Self; jatani -- all arising; taih -- by them; idam -- this cosmos; jatam -- has come about; janma -- the birth; avayavinah -- of the manifest product; khalu -- indeed.

Some philosophers propose the existence of four basic elements, of which three -- fire, water and earth -- emanate from the fourth, the Self. Once existing, these elements produce the cosmic manifestation, in which all material creation takes place.