1252.  Aikatmyam is explained by the commentator as Eka eva dwaita darsana hina atma yatra bhavati.  Practically, it is that state of the mind in which one perceives one’s identity with everything in the universe.  This is that true knowledge which brings about Emancipation or is Emancipation itself.

1253.  They are called ‘robbers of the scriptures’ because they always seek to rob the scriptures of their true meaning.  They are ’depredators of Brahma’ because they deny the very existence of Godhead.  Nirarambhah is Camadyarambha-sunyah.

1254.  The particle anu means ‘following the instructions of preceptors.’  Samyame refers to Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.  Some texts read Siddhante for samyame.

1255.  What is intended to be said here is that only a life of Renunciation, so hard to follow, can lead to Emancipation.  The Burdwan translator makes nonsense of the second line of 64 by connecting it with the first line of 65, K.P.  Singha omits it entirely.

1256.  The Vedas are Savda-Brahma or Brahma as represented by sound.

1257.  I have expanded this verse, following the lead of the commentator.  Some idea may be given of the extreme terseness of such verses by offering a literal rendering:  ’That lump of matter which is made a (human) body by what is contained in the Veda, is (afterwards) made (a body by the same means).’  One approaches one’s wife after performing the rite of Garbhadhana.  In this rite, different deities are invoked to develop different organs and parts of the body of the child to be begotten.  Thus begotten, the body of the child is, subsequent to birth, cleansed or purified.  All this requires the aid of the Vedic mantras.  What Kapila wishes to teach is that commencing with acts, knowledge should finally be acquired.

1258.  Yoga is the only way to true knowledge, hence Jnana-nishthah is Yoga-nishthah.

1259.  These and men like these are pointed out as persons deserving of gifts.

1260. i.e., in Brahma as possessed of attributes and as freed from attributes.

1261.  Matra is explained as miyante vishya anya i.e., the understanding.  What is meant by guile in the practice of righteousness may be exemplified as follows.  Individual grains of barley may be given away instead of cloths by one unable to obtain clothes for gift.  But one giving away barley grains when perfectly able to give away clothes would be guilty of guile.

1262.  The scriptures frequently lay down ordinances in the alternative.  The absolute or substantive provisions are for the able.  Those in the alternative are for them that are unable.

1263.  What is meant by the sacrifices, etc., of such men being identical with infinite Brahma is that these men were identical with Brahma and whatever they did was Brahma.  They had no consciousness of self, or they did nothing for self.  They were the Soul of the universe.