erstanding and Soul. One of these, viz., the
Understanding, creates attributes. The other, viz., the Soul, does not
create them. Although they are, by nature, distinct from each other, yet
they always exist in a state of union. A fish is different from the water
in which it dwells, but the fish and the water must exist together. The
attributes cannot know the Soul. The Soul, however, knows them. They that
are ignorant regard the Soul as existing in a state of union with the
attributes like qualities existing with their possessors. This, however,
is not the case, for the Soul is truly only an inactive Witness of
everything. The Understanding has no refuge.[1448] That which is called
life (involving the existence of the Understanding) arises from the
effects of the attributes coming together. Others (than these attributes
which are created by the Understanding), acting as causes, create the
Understanding that dwells in the body. No one can apprehend the
attributes in their real nature or form of existence. The Understanding,
as already said, creates the attributes. The Soul simply beholds them (as
an inactive Witness). This union that exists between the Understanding
and the Soul is eternal. The indwelling Understanding apprehends all
things through the Senses which are themselves inanimate and
unapprehending. Really the senses are only like lamps (that throw their
light for discovering objects to others without themselves being able to
see them). Even this is the nature (of the Senses, the Understanding, and
the Soul). Knowing this, one should live cheerfully, without yielding to
either grief or joy. Such a man is said to be beyond the influence of
pride. That the Understanding creates all these attributes is due to her
own nature,--even as a spider weaves threads in consequence of her own
nature. These attributes should be known as the threads the spider
weaves. When destroyed, the attributes do not cease to exist; their
existence ceases to be visible. When, however, a thing transcends the ken
of the senses, its existence (or otherwise) is affirmed by inference.
This is the opinion of one set of persons. Others affirm that with
destruction the attributes cease to be. Untying this knotty problem
addressed to the understanding and reflection, and dispelling all doubt,
one should cast off sorrow and live in happiness.[1449] As men
unacquainted with its bottom become distressed when they fall upon this
earth which is like a r