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730
VEDÂNTA-SŪTRAS.
mind are united with mind and breath only; so we conclude from the subsequent clause 'breath with fire' that breath becomes united with fire only.-Against this primâ facie view the Satra declares that breath becomes united with the ruler of the organs, i.e. the individual soul, on account of the going to it, and so on.' That breath goes to the individual soul, the following text declares, 'At the time of death all the pränas go to the Self of a man about to expire' (Bri. Up. IV, 3, 38). Similarly Scripture mentions the departure of prâna together with the soul, 'after him thus departing the prâna departs'; and again its staying together with the soul, What is that by whose departure I shall depart, and by whose staying I shall stay ?' (Pr. Up. VI, 3). We therefore conclude that the text breath with fire' means that breath joined with the individual soul becomes united with fire. Analogously we may say in ordinary life that the Yamuna is flowing towards the sea, while in reality it is the Yamuna joined with the Gangå which flows on.—Here terminates the adhikarana of 'the ruler.'
5. With the elements, this being stated by Scripture.
There arises the further question whether breath joined with the soul unites itself with fire only or with all the elements combined. — With fire, so much only being declared by Scripture !—This view the Satra sets aside. Breath and soul unite themselves with all the elements ; for Scripture declares the soul, when moving out, to consist of all the elements— Consisting of earth, consisting of water, consisting of fire.'-But this latter text explains itself also on the assumption of breath and soul uniting themselves in succession with fire and the rest, one at a time !—This the next Satra negatives.
6. Not with one; for both declare this.
Not with onę; because each element by itself is incapable of producing an effect. Such incapability is declared by Scripture and tradition alike. The text ‘Having entered these beings with this gîva soul let me reveal names and forms—let me make each of these three tripartite' (Kh. Up.
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