Susruta Samhita - Mandhata Global

Chap. I.] SARIRA STHANAM. tl7
Traits of diversity :— Of the Pumsha and
the Prakriti, only the latter is non-conscious and
possesses the three fundamental qualities of Sattva,
Rajas and Tamas. Prakriti performs the function
of the seed or in otherwords she lies inherent as the
seed or the primary cause in the latter phenomenal
evolution of the Mahat etc. and contributes the maternal
element in the conception, development and birth of
the primordial cosmic matter (phenomenal universe\
fecundated by the Purusha (self-conscious subjectivity)
in its different stages of evolution. These stages are
called Mahat, Ahamkara etc. ; and Prakriti is not indif-
ferent, as the Purusha is to the pleasures and misery of
life. But the Purusha (units or atoms of consciousness),
devoid of the threefold virtues of Sattva etc. are non-
concerning hence non-producing and bereft of the seed-
attributes of lying inherent in all as the primary
cause of evolution. They are mere witnesses to the
joys and miseries of life, and do not participate in their
enjoyment though imprisoned in the human or-
ganism. 10
Since an effect is uniform in virtue to its producing
cause, the evolutionised effects or products of the Pra-
kriti such as the Mahat, Ahamkara etc. must needs par-
take of the three fundamental qualities (Sattva, Rajas
and Tamas) which are predicated of the Prakriti. In
other words, these Mahat, Ahamkara, etc, are but the
modifications of the three fundamental qualities of
Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Moreover, certain authorities
hold that the Purushas are units of self-consciousness,
possessed of the three aforesaid qualities owing to their
antecedent conditions or causes (the gross material
universe) being permeated with and characterised by
them. II.