| 17. But know
that to be imperishable by which all this is pervaded. None can cause the
destruction of That, the Inexhaustible.Unlike the unreal, Thatyou must understanddoes
not vanish ; That, the Brahman, the Sat, the Real, by which all this world,
including the akasa, is pervaded, just as pots and other objects are pervaded
by the akasa or space. Brahman does not undergo increase or diminution and
is therefore inexhaustible. This Brahman, the Sat, is not exhausted in Itself
; for, unlike the body It has no parts. Nor does It diminish by (loss of
) anything belonging to It; for, nothing belongs to the Self. Devadatta,
for instance, is ruined by loss of wealth ; but Brahman does not suffer
loss in that way. Wherefore, nobody can bring about the disappearance or
destruction of the inexhaustible Brahman. Nobodynot even the Isvara, the
Supreme Lordcan destroy the Self. For, the Self is Brahman Itself and one
cannot act upon oneself.What, then, is the unreal (asat), whose existence
is not constant ? Listen: |
