Delivering on his promise from Verse 2, Krishna begins to lay out the ultimate Physics of the universe. He breaks down the material creation into its fundamental components. He lists the five gross elements: Earth (bhūmir), water (āpo), fire (analo), air (vāyuḥ), and ether/space (khaṃ). He then lists the three subtle elements: the mind (mano), the intellect (buddhir), and the false ego/identity (ahaṅkāra eva ca). Thus, He declares, this constitutes My separated, divided, material nature (itīyaṃ me bhinnā prakṛtir), categorized in this eightfold manner (aṣṭadhā).