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Chapter 2 - Sutra H
19
It is said that the nature of the soul is like that of an illustrative analogy; however, it is not found in all souls and is not present in all three times (past, present, future). The nature of life that is found in all souls and is consistent across three times is a resultant aspect, the fruitful meaning of which is utility. Therefore, it has been distinguished by its characteristics. It may sometimes be found and sometimes not, residing in certain targets, and may become a characteristic of the soul based on comparative attributes, but not a definitive characteristic. The difference between a characteristic and a sign is that a characteristic is something that is found in every target in an omnipresent way across all three times, just like the heat in fire; whereas a sign may or may not exist in a causal target, may or may not decrease, and may not be inherent, like the smoke of fire. The distinctions in the aspects of coming and going related to the nature of the soul are merely signs. [8] Now, the variety of utility is stated as follows:
"Sadvividho'ṣṭacaturbhedaḥ." 9
This means that utility is of such types and that there are eight types and four subtypes.
Despite the power of knowledge and consciousness being the same, the process of knowing does not appear the same in all souls. The diversity of this utility depends on the variety of the groups of external and internal causes, differences in subject matter, instruments like senses, and variations in location and time.