Book Title: Questions of King Milinda Part 02
Author(s): T W Rhys Davids
Publisher: Oxford


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Page 1118
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III ADHYÂYA, I PÂDA, 4.
105
not to its being the only element. As a matter of fact we see that in all animated bodies liquid substances such as juices, blood, and the like preponderate.—But we likewise observe in bodies a large amount of earthy matter 1-True, but the amount of water is larger than that of any other matter. Moreover, liquid matter prevails in that which is the seed of the body. Further, we know that works (karman) constitute the efficient cause for the origination of a new body, and (sacrificial) works such as the agnihotra, &c., consist in the offering of liquid substances such as Soma, butter, milk and the like. Thereby also the preponderance of water is established. And on account of that preponderance the word 'water' implies the subtle parts of all the elements which constitute the seed of the body.
3. And on account of the going of the prânas. Scripture states that, when a new body is obtained, the pranas also go (from the old body to the new one). Cp. 'When he thus departs the (chief) prâna departs after him, and when the prâna thus departs all the other pranas depart after it' (Bri. Up. IV, 4, 2), and similar passages. Now this going of the prânas is not possible without a base; hence we infer that water also-mixed with parts of the other elements-goes (from the old body to the new one), serving the purpose of supplying a base for the moving prånas. For the pranas cannot, without such a base, either move or abide anywhere; as we observe in living beings.
4. If it be said (that the prânas do not go) on account of the scriptural statement as to entering into Agni, &c., we deny this on account of the metaphorical nature (of those statements).
Well, the purvapakshin resumes, we deny that at the time when a new body is obtained the prânas go with the soul, because scripture speaks of their going to Agni, &c. For that at the time of death speech and the other pränas go to Agni and the other gods the following passage expressly declares: When the speech of the dead person
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