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CREATION
it is in reality an undifferentiated manifold, an indeterminate, infinite continuum of infinitesimal Reals. These reals, termed gunas, are by another abstraction classed under three heads, namely, (1) Sattva, the essence which manifests itself in a phenomenon, and which is characterised by this tendency to manifestation, the essence, or, in other words, which serves as the medium for the reflection of intelligence, (2) Rajas, energy, that which is efficient in a phenomenon and is characterised by a tendency to do work, or overcome resistance, and (3) Tamas, mass or inertia, which counteracts the tendency of Rajas to do work, and of Sattva to conscious manifestation. The ultimate factors of the Universe, then, are (1) essence or intelligence-stuff, (2) energy and (3) matter characterised by mass or inertia. These gunas are conceived to be Reals, substantive entities, - not however as self-subsistent or independent entities, but as interdependent moments in every Real or substantive Existence."
Even energy is substantive in this sense. The infinitesimals of energy do not possess inertia or gravity, and, consequently, are not 'material ;' but they possess quantum and extensivity. The gunas are always uniting, separating, and uniting again. Everything in the world results from their peculiar arrangement and combination. Varying quantities of Essence, Energy and Mass, in varied groupings, act on one another, and through their mutual interaction and interdependence evolve, from the indefinite or qualitatively indeterminate, the definite or qualitatively determinate. In the phenomenal product whatever energy is, is due to the element of Rajas, and Rajas alone; matter, resistance, and stability are due to Tamas, and all conscious manifestation to Sattva. In order that there may be a disturbance of the equilibrium, the particular guna which happens to be predominant in any phenomenou, becomes manifest in that phenomenon and the others become latent, e.g., in a body at rest, mass is patent, energy latent, and conscious manifesta
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