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## Chapter 148: Description of the Six Substances and Five Astikayas
**Verse 43:**
A substance is simply existence. Space is a substance because it is an infinite, indivisible, pure, and unified region. Time is a substance because it is a mere consequence of the continuous flow of the unchanging, conscious, and miraculous. Nature is a substance because it is a pure, unified, and luminous consciousness. The pure soul is not different from its infinite qualities, such as pure knowledge, etc., in any way.
**Verse 44:**
**Commentary:**
If a substance is different from its qualities, and qualities are different from the substance, then this leads to a contradiction. If it is said that a substance is different from its qualities, and qualities are different from the substance, then it leads to the conclusion that there are infinite substances or that there is no substance at all.
**Explanation:**
Qualities are always dependent on something. The thing they depend on is the substance. If the substance is different from the qualities, then the qualities will also be dependent on something else. This will lead to an infinite regress. Therefore, if a substance is different from its qualities, then there will be an infinite number of substances.
On the other hand, if qualities are different from the substance, then there will be no substance at all. Because a substance is a collection of qualities, and if the qualities are different from the collection, then what is the collection?
**Hindi Commentary:**
**Meaning:** If a substance is different from its qualities, and qualities are different from the substance, then this leads to a contradiction. If it is said that a substance is different from its qualities, and qualities are different from the substance, then it leads to the conclusion that there are infinite substances or that there is no substance at all.
**Explanation:**
This is a contradiction. Qualities are always dependent on something. The thing they depend on is the substance. If the substance is different from the qualities, then the qualities will also be dependent on something else. This will lead to an infinite regress. Therefore, if a substance is different from its qualities, then there will be an infinite number of substances.
On the other hand, if qualities are different from the substance, then there will be no substance at all. Because a substance is a collection of qualities, and if the qualities are different from the collection, then what is the collection?