scent, and without shape of any kind, like sound in its unmanifest state of existence.  Then sound, which is the attribute of space, is swallowed up by Mind which is the essence of all things that are manifest.  Thus Mind which in itself is unmanifest withdraws all that is manifested by Mind.  This withdrawal of Mind as displayed into Mind as undisplayed or subtile, is called the destruction of the vast external universe.[892] Then Chandrama’s having made Mind (thus) withdraw its attribute into itself, swallows it up.  When Mind, ceasing to exist, thus enters into Chandramas, the other attributes that are owned by Iswara are all that remain.  This Chandramas, which is called also Sankalpa, is then, after a very long time, brought under Iswara’s sway, then reason being that that Sankalpa has to perform a very difficult act, viz., the destruction of Chitta or the faculties that are employed in the process called judgment.  When this has been effected, the condition reached is said to be of high Knowledge.  Then Time swallows up this Knowledge, and as the Sruti declares, Time itself, in its turn, is swallowed up by Might, or Energy.  Might or energy, however, is (again) swallowed up by Time, which last is then brought under her sway by Vidya.  Possessed of Vidya, Iswara then swallows up non-existence itself into his Soul.  That is Unmanifest and Supreme Brahma.  That is Eternal, and that is the Highest of the High.  Thus all existent creatures are withdrawn into Brahma.  Truly hath this, which should be conceived (with the aid of the scriptures) and which is a topic of Science, been thus declared by Yogins possessed of Supreme Souls, after actual experience.  Even thus doth the Unmanifest Brahma repeatedly undergo the processes of Elaboration and Withdrawal (i.e., Creation and Destruction), and even thus Brahman’s Day and Night each consist of a thousand yugas.’"[893]

SECTION CCXXXIV

“Vyasa said, ’Thou hadst asked me about the Creation of all beings; I have now narrated that to thee in full.  Listen to me as I tell thee now what the duties are of a Brahmana.  The rituals of all ceremonies for which sacrificial fees are enjoined, commencing with Jatakarma and ending with Samavartana, depend for their performance upon a preceptor competent in the Vedas.[894] Having studied all the Vedas and having displayed a submissive behaviour towards his preceptor during his residence with him, and having paid the preceptor’s fee, the youth should return home with a thorough knowledge of all sacrifices.[895] Receiving the permission of his preceptor, he should adopt one of the four modes of life and live in it in due observance of its duties till he casts off his body.  He should either lead a life of domesticity with spouses and engaged in creating offspring, or live in the observance of Brahmacharya; or in the forest in the company of his preceptor, or in the practice of the duties laid down for a yati.  A life of