atter produces
existences through the action of the primal energy, the universe with all
its potencies begins to flow from it. From one lighted lamp thousands of
other lamps are capable of being lighted. After the same manner,
primordial matter produces thousands of existent things. In consequence,
again, of its infinity primordial matter is never exhausted. From the
Unmanifest flows the Understanding determined by acts. The Understanding
produces Consciousness. From Consciousness proceeds Space. From Space
proceeds Wind. From the Wind proceeds Heat. From Heat proceeds Water, and
from Water is produced the Earth. These eight constitute primordial
Prakriti. The universe rests on them. From those Eight have originated
the five organs of knowledge, the five organs of action, the five objects
of the (first five) organs, and the one, viz., the Mind, forming the
sixteenth, which is the result of their modification. The ear, the skin,
the two eyes, the tongue, and the nose are the five organs of knowledge.
The two feet, the lower duct, the organ of generation, the two arms, and
speech, are the five organs of action. Sound, touch, form, taste, and
smell are the five objects of the senses, covering all the things. The
Mind dwells upon all the senses and their objects. In the perception of
taste, it is the Mind that becomes the tongue, and in speech it is the
Mind that becomes words. Endued with the different senses, it is the Mind
that becomes all the objects that exist in its apprehension. These
sixteen, existing in their respective forms, should be known as deities.
These worship Him who creates all knowledge and dwells within the body.
Taste is the attribute of water; scent is the attribute of earth; hearing
is the attribute of space; vision is the attribute of fire or light; and
touch should be known as the attribute of the wind. This is the case with
all creatures at all times. The Mind, it has been said, is the attribute
of existence. Existence springs from the Unmanifest (of Prakriti) which,
every intelligent person should know, rests in That which is the Soul of
all existent beings. These existences, resting upon the supreme Divinity
that is above Prakriti and that is without any inclination for action,
uphold the entire universe of mobiles and immobiles. This sacred edifice
of nine doors[717] is endued with all these existences. That which is
high above them, viz., the Soul, dwells within it, pervading it all over.
For th