The System of the Vedanta according to Badarayana's Brahma-Sutras and Cankara's Commentary c7.s6.t2.4

c7.s6.t2.4

4-7. This is followed by the teaching of the triplication of the elements. As the three primordial elements came forth from the one Existent, so all things in the world proceed anew from the three primordial elements: the red in things is radiance (*tejas*, the primal fire), the white is water, the black is food. This is exemplified in the natural phenomena of fire (*agni*), the sun, moon, and lightning, and it is said each time: "Vanished is the fire-being of the fire (the sun-being of the sun, etc.), the change is dependent only on words, a mere name, only the three forms are there in reality." Knowing this, the wise men of old said: "Henceforth can no one bring forth anything which has not been heard, known, and understood by us!" For they knew that what was unknown to them also could only be a combination of these three primordial elements; from them, like all else, the human body is built up, whereby, like the cream in milk, the finest part rises and forms the psychical organs, so that Manas is formed from food, breath from water, speech from heat. (For more on this subject, see Chap. XVII, 6, above p. 240ff.) For this reason the mind of mankind is weakened by continual fasting, and strengthened again by taking food, just as the glimmering ember which remains, can be rekindled by adding fresh fuel to it. [According to our system, Manas, *Prâna*, and *Vâc* did not come into being, but are the eternal companions of the soul. For solution of this contradiction see later on.]