contact with the Twenty-fourth or Prakriti, it is, however, in its real nature, separate from and independent of Prakriti).  When overwhelmed with the consciousness of meum or self, and when unable to understand its identity with the Twenty-sixth, in fact, in consequence of the illusion that invests it, of its co-existence with Prakriti, and of its own manner of thinking, the Jiva-soul always skins down, but when freed from such consciousness it goes upwards.  When the Jiva-soul succeeds in apprehending that it is one, and Prakriti with which it resides is another, then only does it, O regenerate one, succeed in beholding the Supreme Soul and attaining to the condition of Oneness with the universe.  The Supreme is one, O king, and the Twenty-fifth (or Jiva-soul) is another.  In consequence, however, of the Supreme overlying the Jiva-soul the wise regard both to be one and the same.[1671] For these reasons, Yogins, and followers of the Sankhya system of philosophy, terrified by the birth and death, blessed with sight of the Twenty-sixth, pure in body and mind, and devoted to the Supreme Soul, and do not welcome the Jiva-soul as indestructible.[1672] When one beholds the Supreme Soul and losing all consciousness of individuality becomes identified with the Supreme, one than becomes omniscient, and possessed of such omniscience one becomes freed from the obligation of rebirth.  I have thus discoursed to thee truly, sinless one, about Prakriti which is unintelligent, and Jiva-soul which is possessed of intelligence, and the Supreme Soul which is endued with omniscience, according to the indications occurring in the Srutis.  That man, who beholds not any difference between the knower or the known, is both Kevala and not-Kevala, is the original cause of the universe, is both Jiva-soul and the Supreme Soul.[1673]

“Viswavasu said, ’O puissant one, thou hast duly and adequately discoursed on that which is the origin of all the deities and which is productive of Emancipation.  Thou hast said what is true and excellent.  May inexhaustible blessings always attend thee, and may thy mind be ever united with intelligence!’

“Yajnavalkya continued, ’Having said those words, the prince of Gandharvas proceeded towards heaven, shining in resplendence of beauty.  Before leaving me, the high-souled one duly honoured me by taking the accustomed turns round my person, and I looked upon him, highly pleased.  He inculcated the science he had obtained from me unto those celestials that dwell in the regions of Brahman and other deities, unto those that dwell on Earth, unto also the denizens of the nether regions, and unto them that had adopted the path of Emancipation, O king.  The Sankhyas are devoted to the practices of their system.  The Yogins are devoted to the practices inculcated by their system.  Others there are that are desirous of achieving their Emancipation.  Unto these latter this science is productive of visible fruits, O lion among king.  Emancipation flows from Knowledge.