Madhvaon Brahma Sūtra 2.1.14

In the world, the production of anything has been observed to take place with the help of various means (helps) which has an existence independent of the efficient cause (or the doer). But this is not the case with Brahmau. His creation proceeds only in virtue of His essential power. For the challenge (made in Sruti as to the existence of independ- ent materials with which Brahman’s creation might proceed) is as follows: “ What place was possibly there ? What means at all were there ? In what form did the means exist ? ” (Rv. x, 81.2). Here, place and other things (required for an ordinary agent) are not stated in reply, because there are) none. The word ‘other/ in the aphorism intimates the argumeuts or reasons that support the view. (This view is further supported) by such statements (as the following)“ 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). Of what avail then are the means to Him? (So He is not condition- ed by the necessity of having independent means).