Matharavritti 71
English (machine translation) 71
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71.1
Here he asks: Whence is the traditional transmission of this knowledge of the twenty-five principles, which was explained by the blessed one? To this he replies:
71.2
This foremost purifying [knowledge] the sage gave out of compassion to Āsuri; / Āsuri [gave it] also to Pañcaśikha, and by him the doctrine was elaborated.
71.4
'This' refers to this discernment. 'Purifying': why purifying? Because it protects from falling into hells, ghosts, and animal wombs; therefore it is purifying. 'Foremost' because of its preeminence. Even compared to the treatises on virtue such as the Vedas, the Purāṇas, the Mahābhārata, and Manu, this knowledge of the twenty-five principles is superior. Why? Because of its absoluteness and finality; and from this there is the absence of suffering. The 'sage,' the blessed Kapila, recognizing the qualification in a Brahmin of the Āsuri clan who had sacrificed for a thousand years, gave it to him; out of compassion for him, for the sake of his liberation; out of compassion that arose [thinking]: 'This ascetic is dwelling in blind darkness, in ignorance.' A sage (muni) is so called from contemplation (manana). The blessed one, knowing the departure and arrival of beings, does not wander: thus is the blessed Kapila. Relying on the sense that he is a friend who aids all without expecting any return, he spoke. That very knowledge the one of the Āsuri clan spoke again out of compassion to Pañcaśikha. By that Pañcaśikha the treatise was elaborated, given to many pupils.