r
knowledge of oneself as something distinct from Unintelligent or
Unmanifest Prakriti. The twenty-fifth, which resides in the bodies of
living creatures, should be emancipated by making him know the Unmanifest
or the Supreme Soul which transcends the understanding. Indeed, that
twenty-fifth is capable of attaining to Emancipation in this way only and
not through any other means, it is certain. Though really different from
the Kshetra in which he resides for the time being, he partakes of the
nature of that Kshetra in consequence of his union with it.[1637] Uniting
with what is Pure, he becomes Pure. Uniting with the Intelligent, he
becomes Intelligent. By uniting, O foremost of men, with one that is
Emancipate, he becomes Emancipated. By uniting with one that has been
freed from attachments of every kind, he becomes freed from all
attachments. By uniting with one striving after Emancipation, he himself,
partaking of the nature of his companion, strives after Emancipation. By
uniting with one of pure deeds he becomes pure and of pure deeds and
endued with blazing effulgence. By uniting with one of unstained soul, he
becomes of unstained soul himself. By uniting with the One independent
Soul, he becomes One and Independent. Uniting with One that is dependent
on One's own Self, he becomes of the same nature and attains to
Independence.

"'"'O monarch, I have duly told thee all this that is perfectly true.
Candidly have I discoursed to thee on this subject, viz., the Eternal and
Stainless and Primeval Brahma. Thou mayst impart this high knowledge,
capable of awakening the soul, unto that person, O king, who though not
conversant with the Vedas is nevertheless, humble and has a keen desire
for acquiring the knowledge of Brahma. It should never be imparted unto
one that is wedded to falsehood, or one that is cunning or roguish, or
one that is without any strength of mind or one that is of crooked
understanding, or one that is jealous of men of knowledge, or one that
gives pain to others. Listen to me as I say who they are unto whom this
knowledge may safely be communicated. It should be given to one that is
endued with faith, or one that is possessed of merit, or one that always
abstains from speaking ill of others, or one that is devoted to penances
from the purest of motives, or one that is endued with knowledge and
wisdom, or one that is conversant of the sacrifices and other rites laid
down in the Vedas, or one that is p