________________
I ADHYAYA, 3 PÂDA, 23.
which the teaching of Pragâpati refers is the 'imitator,' i.e. the individual soul; the Brahman which is 'imitated' is the small ether.
325
22. The same is declared by Smriti also.
Smriti also declares that the transmigrating soul when reaching the state of Release 'imitates,' i. e. attains supreme equality of attributes with the highest Brahman. 'Abiding by this knowledge they, attaining to equality of attributes with me, are not born again at the time of creation, nor are they affected by the general dissolution of the world' (Bha. Gi. XIV, 2).
Some maintain that the last two Sûtras constitute a separate adhikarana (head of discussion), meant to prove that the text Mu. Up. II, 2, 10 ('After him the shining one, everything shines; by the light of him all this is lighted'), refers to the highest Brahman. This view is, however, inadmissible, for the reason that with regard to the text quoted no pûrvapaksha can arise, it having been proved under I, 2, 21 ff., and I, 3, 1 ff., that the whole section of which that text forms part is concerned with Brahman; and it further having been shown under I, 1, 24 ff., that Brahman is apprehended under the form of light.-The interpretation moreover does not fit in with the wording of the Sutras. Here terminates the adhikarana of the 'small one.'
23. On account of the term, the one measured.
We read in the Kathavalli 'The Person of the size of a thumb stands in the middle of the Self, as lord of the past and the future, and henceforward fears no more'; 'That Person of the size of a thumb is like a light without smoke,' &c. (Ka. Up. II, 4, 12; 13). And 'The Person not larger than a thumb, the inner Self, is always settled in the heart of men' (Ka. Up. II, 6, 17). A doubt here arises whether the being measured by the extent of a span be the individual soul or the highest Self.-The Purvapakshin maintains the former view; for, he says, another scriptural text also declares the individual soul to have that measure,
Digitized by Google
