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## The Sutra Kritanga Sutra
**Verse:**
"Even though it appears to be doing, or causing to be done, it does not do anything at all. Thus, the Self is an Akara (non-doer), and this is what the Sankhyas proclaim."
**Translation:**
The Self does not engage in any action on its own, nor does it cause any action to be done by another. It exists without doing anything. In other words, it is an Akara - not the doer of any action.
**Commentary:**
Here, the author, with the intention of explaining the Akara (non-doer) doctrine, says: "The word 'Kurvan' (doing) refers to an independent doer. But the Self, being formless, eternal, and all-pervading, cannot be a doer. For the same reason, the Self cannot be a causer either. The first 'cha' (and) negates the Self's past and future actions, while the second 'cha' is a connective. Therefore, the Self does not engage in any action on its own, nor does it cause any action to be done by another. Although it appears to perform actions like eating and drinking, due to the 'Mudra-Pratibimbo-dayana' (reflection in a mirror) and 'Japasphatika' (crystal) analogies, it is not actually the doer of any action. This is shown by the phrase 'Savvam Kuvvan Na Vijjai' (It does not do anything at all). The word 'Sarvam' refers to all actions, including pulsation, movement, and obtaining things from different places. The Self does not do any of these because it is all-pervading, formless, and inactive like space. This is also stated in the verse: 'Akara, Nirguna, Bhokta, Atma-Sankhya-Nidarsane' (The Self is a non-doer, attributeless, and enjoyer, as explained by the Sankhya philosophy). The word 'Evam' (thus) indicates that the Self is an Akara in this way. The word 'Te' (they) refers to the Sankhyas, and the word 'Tu' (but) emphasizes their distinct view. The Sankhyas, being 'Pragalbhitah' (proclaimers), repeatedly state their view, as in the statement: 'Prakriti does, Purusha enjoys, and the Purusha, through the intellect, understands the meaning of the object.' This is the Akara doctrine of the Sankhyas."
**Mudra-Pratibimbo-dayana:**
If an image is reflected in a mirror, it appears to be present there, even though it does not make any effort to be there. Similarly, the Self does not make any effort to manifest its state, nor does it perform any action, but it appears to be doing so, like the reflection in a mirror. This is called the 'Mudra-Pratibimbo-dayana' analogy.
**Japasphatika:**
The flower of the 'Japas' plant, which is red, when placed near a crystal, makes the crystal appear red. In reality, the crystal is not red, it remains white, but due to the reflection of the red flower, it appears red. This example illustrates that, according to the Sankhya philosophy, although the Self is devoid of the capacity to enjoy, it does not experience the fruits of actions. The enjoyment is experienced by the intellect, and due to its association with the intellect, it appears to be experienced by the Self. This is why the Self is considered the enjoyer. This is the meaning of the 'Japasphatika' analogy.