Samayasara OR Nature of Self

Author(s): A Chakravarti
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

Page 68

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she becomes a cow but he became a bull and thus originates another species of animals. Then she changes herself into other animals and the primitive Purusha longing to meet his mate undergoes a corresponding transformation Thus are created the different species of animals. In the next passage there is an interesting and novel version of the hymn of Purushasukta of the Rig Vedic hymns. In the Rig Veda there was a description of the origin of the four castes. Here is a different account. Purusha exists originally as Brahman. Being lonely it was not developed. It created still further a superior form of the Kshatrahood even those who are Kshatras rulers among Gods. This higher principle of Kshatrahood is represented by Indra, Varuna, Soma Rudra, Yama, and Isana Therefore there is nothing higher than Kshatra Therefore at the Rajasuya ceremony the Brāhman sits below the Kshatriya. Upon Kshatrahood alone does he confer his honour. Yet this same thing viz, Kshatrahood has as its source Brahmanhood Therefore even if the king attains supremacy he rests finally upon Brahmanhood as his source, so whoever injures Him (that is a Brahmin) attacks his own source. He fates worse in proportion as he injures one who is better. This passage is characteristic of the spirit of compromise Kshatriyahood and Rajasuya sacrifice are clearly acknowledged to be supereminent and at the same time the rank is derived because they originate from Brahmanhood. Unlike the Purushasukta of the Rig this account suggests a caste organisation even among the Gods. Brahman's manifestation was not yet complete. Then he produced his the Vysya element which is represented among the gods by the Rudras, Adityas, the Maruts, and the Viswadevas and among men by the Vysya. Brahma was not yet developed and he created the Sudravarna of which caste the divine representative is Pushan identified with the Earth the all nourisher and among men the same is represented by the fourth caste. The process of creation is not yet complete. Then Brahma created a still further form in the shape of Dharma or Law. It is the source of all. This is the power of the Kshatriya caste. Therefore there is nothing higher than Law. Verily that which is Law is truth. This law is higher than Gods as well as
INTRODUCTION