Matharavritti 12.3

12.3

Possessing three constituents is the manifest, beginning with the intellect. Primordial matter also possesses three constituents, because an effect conforms to its cause; just as black thread is the cause and the cloth, which is the effect, is also black alone. Through the effect having three constituents, its cause also comes to have three constituents: thus primordial matter is established. Moreover, the manifest is non-discriminating: one cannot discriminate, saying, "These are the constituents; this is the manifest." Likewise, with regard to primordial matter too, one cannot separate it, saying, "This is primordial matter; these are the constituents." Moreover, the manifest, beginning with the intellect, is an object; it is to be experienced by the spirit in the form of pleasure, suffering, and delusion, for he is its experiencer. Likewise, primordial matter too is to be experienced by all spirits, the knowers of the field. The manifest is common; it belongs to all spirits, like a courtesan. Primordial matter is likewise. The manifest is non-conscious; it does not cognize pleasure, suffering, and delusion. Primordial matter is likewise. The manifest is productive of effects: from the intellect arises egoity, thence the sense faculties and the subtle elements, and from them the gross elements are born. In this manner, primordial matter also produces the intellect. This describes the similarity between the manifest and the unmanifest. Now, regarding what is stated: "the spirit is the opposite of them, and yet similar [in certain respects]"—he explains that. He is the opposite of those two, the manifest and the unmanifest. The similarity between the two was stated as: "Possessing three constituents, non-discriminating, an object, common, non-conscious, productive of effects." From that he is opposite, having contrary properties: devoid of the constituents, discriminating, not an object, not common, conscious, and not productive of effects. Having stated the dissimilarity, he states the similarity: "and yet similar, the spirit."