Brahman as Efficient Cause

“Brahman is to be acknowledged as the material cause as well as the operative cause; because this latter view does not conflict with the promissory statements and the illustrative instances.”

“The Self is thus the operative cause, because there is no other ruling principle, and the material cause because there is no other substance from which the world could originate.”

“This objection is not valid, because causation is possible in consequence of a peculiar constitution of the causal substance, as in the case of milk.”

“This clearly shows the unity of the operative (ruling or supervising) cause and the material cause …”

“Milk, e.g. and water, which have the power of producing certain effects, viz. sour milk and ice respectively, produce these effects unaided.”

“But this is not the case with Brahmau. His creation proceeds only in virtue of His essential power.”

“It is the dependent being (imperfect agent) that requires aids and means to work with. What should the absolute Lord require ? For He confers on the very means the virtue of being such (means).”

“It is not right to hold that even the non-intelligent Pradhana may be active as in the case of milk curdling or water flowing, etc. For the Sruti says, that even there the activity is caused by the Lord …”