Mahatá param Avyaktam avyaktá puruśa;
Puruśamgam parama kiiṋcit sá kastá sá parágati.

[shloka translation to be added]

⁽¹⁾ The superior one is called Paramátman and the inferior one is called Átman.⁽²⁾ Some portion of the Cognitive Faculty undergoes metamorphosis. Then the metamorphosed portion of the Cognitive Entity is called Apará Brahma. And the pure cognitive portion, the portion that remains unassailed, unaffected, by the [binding principles] is called Pará Brahma.

Mahatá param Avyaktam. Now when the Cognition comes under the binding influence of the Operative Principle, that is, when the Operative Principle becomes [dominant],⁽³⁾ in that case that metamorphosed portion of Cognition is called Mahat. It is the subtlest mind.

Mahatá param Avyaktam – “Avyaktá is subtler, superior to, the subtlest mind.” That is, the Operative Principle is subtler, is superior to, the subtlest portion of mind. Mahatá param Avyaktam – Avyaktaḿ mahatá param.⁽⁴⁾ Here, Avyaktá means the Operative Principle. Because cognition, or the Cognitive Entity, is metamorphosed into “I” feeling by⁽⁵⁾ the Operative Principle. That’s why the Operative Principle is superior to pure mind or “I” feeling.

Avyaktá puruśa param. Now this Avyaktá,⁽⁶⁾ the Operative Principle, is inferior to Puruśa, the Supreme Puruśa, the Supreme Consciousness. Why? Now, Puruśa is the shelter of the Operative Principle. The Operative Principle is not the shelter of Puruśa; Puruśa is the shelter of the Operative Principle. And that’s why Puruśa is called Náráyańa. Nara means the Operative Principle, and ayana means “shelter”. Parama Puruśa is the shelter of the Operative Principle,⁽⁷⁾ is the shelter of Avyaktam. And that’s why Parama Puruśa is superior to, is greater than, Avyaktam, the Operative Principle. Parama Puruśa is the Transcendental Entity, and the Operative Principle is His inner principle.

Puruśamgam parama kiiṋcit. And “Puruśa is the Supreme Entity.” There is no other entity superior to the Puruśa. Why? Because He is the Transcendental Entity, that’s why He is the sublimest, He is the subtlest, entity. And that’s why Sá kastá sá parágati – “Puruśa is the Supreme Desideratum of human life, Supreme Goal of human life.” Sá kastá sá parágati – “He is the terminus of all movements. He is the Supreme Goal of each and every entity of this expressed universe.” A sádhaka’s sadhana, the sadhana of a spiritual aspirant, is for this Puruśa and for nobody else and for no other entity.

Footnotes

(1) A sentence following this shloka was inaudible on the tape. –Eds.

(2) A word or two here were inaudible on the tape. –Eds.

(3) A word or two here were inaudible on the tape. The meaning seems to have been “dominant”. –Eds.

(4) A Sanskrit word or two here were inaudible on the tape. –Eds.

(5) A few words here were inaudible on the tape. –Eds.

(6) A few words here were inaudible on the tape. –Eds.

(7) A few words here were inaudible on the tape. –Eds.