s, only the Kshetrajna attains, to that which is the
highest and great and which transcend the qualities and those entities
which are born of the qualities. Hence one who understands duties,
casting off qualities and the understanding, and having his sins
destroyed, and transcending the qualities, enters the Kshetrajna. One
that is free from all pairs of opposites, that never bends his head to
any one, that is divested of Swaha, that is immovable, and homeless, is
the Kshetrajna. He is the Supreme Lord."'"'"

SECTION XLIV

"'"'Brahma said, "I shall now tell you truly about all that which has a
beginning, middle, and end, and which is endued with name and
characteristics, together with the means of apprehension. It has been
said that the Day was first. Then arose Night. The Months are said to
have the lighted fortnights first. The constellations have Sravana for
their first; the Seasons have that of dews (viz., Winter) for their
first. Earth is the source of all smells; and Water of all tastes. The
solar light is the source of all colours; the Wind of all sensations of
touch. Likewise, of sound the source is space (or Ether). These are the
qualities of elements. I shall, after this, declare that which is the
first and the highest of all entities. The sun is the first of all
lighted bodies. Fire is said to be the first of all the elements. Savitri
is the first of all branches of learning. Prajapati is the first of all
the deities. The syllable Om is the first of all the Vedas, and the
life-wind Prana is the first of all winds. All that is called Savitri
which is prescribed in this world.[130] The Gayatri is the first of all
metres; of all (sacrificial) animals the first is the goat. Kine are the
first of all quadrupeds. The twiceborn ones are the first of all human
beings. The hawk is the first of all birds. Of sacrifices the first is
the pouring of clarified butter on the fire. Of all reptiles the first, O
foremost of regenerate ones, is the snake. The Krita is the first of all
the Yugas; there is no doubt in this. Gold is the first of all precious
things. Barley is the first of all plants. Food is the first of all
things to be eaten or swallowed. Of all liquid substances to be drunk,
water is the foremost. Of all immobile entities without distinction,
Plaksha is said to be the first, that ever holy field of Brahman. Of all
the Prajapatis I am the first. There is no doubt in this. Of
inconceivable soul, the self-exi