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354
ANUGÍTA.
all liquid substances which are to be drunk, water is the best. And among all immovable entities, without distinction, the Plaksha, the ever holy field of Brahman', is stated to be the first. I, too, (am the first) among all the patriarchs”, there is no doubt of that. And the unthinkable, self-existent Vishnu is stated to be my own self. Of all moun tains, the great Meru is stated to be the first-born. And among all quarters and sub-quarters, likewise, the eastern quarter is the first. Likewise the Gangå going in three paths is stated to be the first-born among rivers. And likewise of all wells and reservoirs of water, the ocean is the first-born. And of all gods, Dânavas, Bhatas, Pisakas, snakes, and Rakshases, and of men, Kinnaras, and Yakshas, Isvara is the lord. The great Vishnu, who is full of the Brahman, and than whom there is no higher being in these three worlds, is the source of all the universe. Of all orders, that of householders (is the first), there is no doubt of that. The unperceived is the source of the worlds; and the same is also the end of everything. Daysend with (the sun's) setting®; the night ends with (the sun's)rising; the end of pleasure is ever grief:
' I.e. the Creator ; his field means, I presume, his special seal.
· Beings from whom all creatures were bom. See inter alia Sånu Parvan (Moksha Dharma), chap. 208, st. 6; Manu I, 34.
" At p. 347 the north is mentioned. Arguna Misra has onibvs,' or upward here, and yet north' before. Is the north the best as the seat of the higher world mentioned at Sänu Parvan (Moksha Dharma), chap. 192, st. 8 seq.?
• J.e. Rudra, says Nilakantha.
• Viz. Brahmakârin, householder, forester, and Samnyásin. Cr. SAnti Parvan (Moksha),ch. 191, st. 10; Manu VI,89; Gautama, p. 190.
These stanzas also occur in the Sânti Parvan, chap. 37. 8. 31 seq.(Ragadharma). A part of them appears to be quoted in SankhyasQira V, 80. And the commentator Vigitána Bhikshu introduces it with the expressioniti srüyate.' But it is not a Vedic text
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