Sarvadarshanasangraha 14.13

14.13

Modification alone, however, consists of the five gross elements beginning with space, and the eleven faculties. Thus it has been said: 'The group of sixteen, however, is a modification.' The meaning is: the group delimited by the number sixteen is modification alone, not primordial matter. Even though earth and the rest are the material cause of cows, pots, and the like, nonetheless, because these are not distinct principles from earth and the rest, they are not primordial matter. For here, being primordial matter is accepted as being the material cause of a distinct principle. There is no status as a distinct principle in the case of cows, pots, and the like, because their grossness and perceivability by the senses are identical [to that of the elements]. Among these, from the subtle elements of sound, touch, form, taste, and odor, together with each preceding subtle element, the five gross elements beginning with space arise in order, possessing one, two, three, four, and five qualities respectively. The creation of the faculties, on the other hand, has already been stated. Thus it has been said: