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740
VEDÂNTA-SÓTRAS.
that there are present rays then also ; while in winter, as generally in bad weather, that heat is overpowered by cold and hence is not perceived (although actually present). Scripture moreover states that the arteries and rays are at all times mutually connected : 'As a very long highway goes to two villages, so the rays of the sun go to both worlds, to this one and to the other. They stretch themselves forth from the sun and enter into these arteries; they stretch themselves forth from these arteries and enter into yonder sun' (Kh. Up. VIII, 6, 2).-As thus there are rays at night also, the souls of those who know reach Brahman by way of the rays only.-Here terminates the adhikarana of the following up the rays.
18. Should it be said, not in the night; we say, no; because the connexion persists as long as the body does. Scripture also declares this.
It is now enquired into whether the soul of him who, while having true knowledge, dies at night reaches Brahman or not. Although, as solar rays exist at night, the soul may move on at night also following those rays; yet, since dying at night is spoken of in the Sutras as highly objectionable, we conclude that he who dies at night cannot accomplish the highest end of man, viz. attainment to Brahman. The Satras eulogize death occurring in daytime and object to death at night-time: 'Day-time, the bright half of the month and the northern progress of the sun are excellent for those about to die; the contrary times are unfavourable.' According to this, their different nature, dying in day-time may be assumed to lead to a superior state of existence, and dying at night to an inferior state. He who dies at night cannot therefore ascend to Brahman.-This view the Satra refutes: 'Because, in the case of him who knows, the connexion with works exists as long as the body does.' This is to say
-since those works which have not yet begun to produce their results and which are the cause of future inferior states of existence are destroyed by the contact with knowledge, while at the same time later works do not
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