________________
CHAPTER XIII, 65-89.
215
itself existed. 81. And if the command were given by him to something not existing, then how did the something not existing hear the command of the Lord ? 82. Or how did it know that the will of the Lord was thus, that 'I should become light?' 83. Because the command of the Lord is not heard by what does not exist, in the same manner as though it were not given by him. 84. Since it is not possible for the non-existent even to think in any way, (85) it was that which is appointed nonexistent, so that it does not exist, but yet exists', that was really before the sight of the sage?; by which it was known in what manner the Lord is demanding that it shall arises, and in the manner whïch was demanded by him it arose.
86. If they say that the light arose from the word of the Lord, which was spoken by him thus : 'Thou shalt arise,' and it was so—(87) that being when the Lord and his belongings (kh û dih) were dark, and light had really never been seen by him-in what way is it possible for that light to arise from his word ? 88. Because this is known, that speaking is the progeny of thinking. 89. If they say that his word became light, that is very marvellous, because then light is the fruit of darkness, and the source of darkness is thereby the essence of light;
1 That is something produced as a nonentity which, being produced as nothing, is considered to be something different from nothing at all, which is not produced. Something analogous to the prototypes of the creatures, which remained three thousand years in a spiritual state, so that they were unthinking and unmoving, with intangible bodies' (Bd. I, 8).
9 Who wrote the account of the creation in the book of Genesis. & Literally that I shall arise.'
Digitized by Google