particular attribute which it had cherished before.  It is in consequence of this that that particular attribute attaches to it.  It is the Ordainer himself who attaches variety to the great entities (of Space, Earth, etc.), to the objects of the senses (such as form, etc.), and to size or bulk of existent matter, and appoints the relations of creatures with those multiform entities.  Amongst men who have devoted themselves to the science of things, there are some who say that, in the production of effects, exertion is supreme.  Some learned persons say that Destiny is supreme, and some that it is Nature which is the agent.  Others say that Acts flowing from (personal) exertion, and Destiny, produce effects, aided by Nature.  Instead of regarding any of these as singly competent for the production of effects, they say that it is the union of all three that produces all effects.  As regards this subject,[884] some say that such is the case; some, that such is not the case; some, that both of these are not the case; and some, that it is not that the reverse of both are not.  These, of course, are the contentions of those that depend on Acts, with reference to objects.  They however, whose vision is directed to truth regard Brahma as the cause.[885] Penance is the highest good for living creatures.  The roots of penance are tranquillity and self-restraint.  By penance one obtains all things that one wishes for in one’s mind.  By penance one attains to that Being who creates the universe.  He who (by penance) succeeds in attaining to that Being becomes the puissant master of all beings.  It is by Penance that the Rishis are enabled to read the Vedas ceaselessly.  At the outset the Self-born caused those excellent Vedic sounds, that are embodiments of knowledge and that have neither beginning nor end to (spring up and) flow on (from preceptor to disciple).  From those sounds have sprung all kinds of actions.  The names of the Rishis, all things that have been created, the varieties of form seen in existent things, and the course of actions, have their origin in the Vedas.[886] Indeed, the Supreme Master of all beings, in the beginning, created all things from the words of the Vedas.  Truly, the names of the Rishis, and all else that has been created, occur in the Vedas.  Upon the expiration of his night (i.e., at the dawn of his day), the uncreate Brahman creates, from prototypes that existed before, all things which are, of course, well-made by Him.[887] In the Vedas hath been indicated the topic of the Soul’s Emancipation, along with the ten means constituted by study of the Vedas, adoption of the domestic mode of life, penances, observance of duties common to all the modes of life, sacrifices, performance of all such acts as lead to pure fame, meditation which is of three kinds, and that kind of emancipation which is called success (Siddhi) attainable in this life.[888] That incomprehensible Brahma which has been declared in the words of the Vedas, and which