repairs to a preceptor for the sake of (acquiring) the Srutis, and then, having acquired the Srutis, dwells on their import (by obeying their injunctions), even so dost thou regard as thine those objects which are shown by us, past or future, in sleep or in wakefulness.  Of creatures, again, that are of little intelligence, when their mind becomes distracted and cheerless, life is seen to be upheld upon our objects discharging their functions.[64] It is seen also that a creature, after having formed even innumerable purposes and indulged in dreams, when afflicted by the desire to enjoy, runs to objects of sense at once.[65] One entering upon enjoyments depending on mental purposes alone and unconnected with actual objects of sense, always meets with death upon the exhaustion of the life-breaths, like an enkindled fire upon the exhaustion of fuel.  True it is that we have connections with our respective attributes; true it is, we have no knowledge of one another’s attributes.  But without us thou canst have no perception.  Without us no happiness can come to thee.’”

SECTION XXIII

“The Brahmana said, ’In this connection, O blessed lady, is cited the ancient story of what kind the institution is of the five sacrificing priests.  The learned know this to be a great principle that Prana and Apana and Udana and Samana and Vyana are the five sacrificing priests.’”

“The Brahmana’s wife said, ’That naturally there are seven sacrificing priests is what was my former conviction.  Let the great principle be declared to ’me as to how, verily, the number is five of the sacrificing priests.’”

’The Brahmana said, ’The wind nursed by Prana afterwards takes birth in Apana.  The wind nursed in Apana then becomes developed into Vyana.  Nursed by Vyana, the wind is then developed into Udana.  Nursed in Udana, the wind is then generated as Samana.  Those good beings in days of yore asked the first-born Grandsire, saying—­Do thou say who amongst us is the foremost.  He (whom thou wilt indicate) will be our chief.’

“Brahmana said, ’He upon whose extinction all the life-breaths become extinct in the bodies of living creatures, he upon whose moving they move, is verily the foremost (among you).  Do ye go where ye like.’

“Prana said, ’Upon my extinction all the life-breaths become extinct in the bodies of living creatures.  Upon my moving they once more move.  I am (therefore) the foremost.  Behold, I go into extinction!’

“The Brahmana continued, ’Prana then became extinct and once more moved about.  Then Samana and Udana also, O blessed one, said these words—­Thou dost not dwell here, pervading all this, as we do.  Thou art not the foremost amongst us, O Prana. (Only) Apana is under thy dominion.  Prana then moved about, and unto him Apana spoke.’

“Apana said, ’When I become extinct, all the life-winds become extinct in the bodies of living creatures.  When I move about, they again move about.  I am, therefore, the foremost.  Behold, I go into extinction!’