A new approach to the Vedas : an essay in translation and exegesis

APPENDIX

VI, 30) no Ray or Way that leads from any position in the world directly to the Supernal Sun: the Supernal Sun is only visible from the centre in the world, a centre without “ position ’’ in space, but where is the Light of the World, the Eye of the World, Buddhist cakkhum loke. In other words, “‘ it is through the midst of the Supernal Sun that one escapes” (adityam samaya atimucyate, JUB., I, 3; “ No man cometh to the Father but through Me.”

In a more detailed representation, the number of “wheels” or “circles” (cakra) must be indefinitely increased. In particular, one great circle passes through the Supernal Sun and its reflection in the Nether Waters, this circle marking out the World or Universe in its entirety, its revolution being the Brahmanda; and on the other hand, the individual conscience “A ’’ must be represented by yet another circle, in a plane at might angles to that in which the conscience subsists, each and all of such worlds being in the image of (anurithbam) of the other. In the individual “ world” there will be seen again reflected Suns, one central, virtually “ without position,” but “actually”’ situated at the point of intersection with the solar ray in the world already spoken of, and represented by the dotted line: the other peripheral. Those central and peripheral “Suns” of the individual conscience are the individual’s “ Inner Light” and “ Light of Nature.’ Looking within the individual sees this Inner Light, “risen in the North ”’ ; and being centred therein, he has entered upon the general “Way ” which is represented by the dotted line in the diagram. That the direction of this “ Way” stands at right angles to that of his former “axis,” corresponds to that vectification* of personality which is commonly

* Cf. Kausitakt Brahmana, VII, 6, where the Zenith is said to have been “first discerned’ by Aditi, and it is because Aditi, whose “Liberty ” (adititva) is from all bonds, is thus of the Zenith, that all

things, plants, trees, men, and fire ‘‘ stand upright,” the “‘ rectitude ”’ of things being their “ aspiration.”

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