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VEDÂNTA-SOTRAS.
of an agent. The objections again which are connected with the theory of 'manifestation' are refuted by our not acknowledging such a thing at all as manifestation.' Nor does the admission of origination render the doctrine of the reality of the effect irrational; for it is only the Real that originates. But it is a contradiction to maintain that that which previously exists is originated 1-This, we reply, is the objection of a person who knows nothing about the true nature of origination and destruction. A substance enters into different states in succession ; what passes away is the substance in its previous states, what originates is the substance in its subsequent states. As thus the substance in all its states has being, there is nothing irrational in the satkarya theory.-But the admission of the. origination of a non-existing state lands us in the asatkârya theory!—If he, we retort, who holds the asatkârya theory is of opinion that the origination of the effect does not itself originate, he is similarly landed in the satkârya theory; and if he holds that the origination itself originates, he is led into a regressus in infinitum. According to us, on the other hand, who hold that states are incapable of being apprehended and of acting apart from that of which they are states, origination, destruction, and so on, belong only to a substance which is in a certain state; and on this theory no difficulty remains. And in the same way as the state of being a jar results from the clay abandoning the condition of being either two halves of a jar or a lump of clay, plurality results from a substance giving up the state of oneness, and oneness from the giving up of plurality; hence this point also gives rise to no difficulty.
We now consider the whole Khandogya-text in connexion. 'Sad eva somyesdam agra asid ekam evadvitiyam.' This means—That which is Being, i.e. this world which now, owing to the distinction of names and forms, bears a manifold shape, was in the beginning one only, owing to the absence of the distinction of names and forms. And as, owing to the 'Sat' being endowed with all powers, a further ruling principle is out of the question, the world was
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