Madhvaon Brahma Sūtra 2.3.17

“ He (alone) having involved all this in darkness (in the form of water assumed by the Intelligent . Prakriti) remains hidden (from view) ; again having dissolved the darkness, He appears ; (single handed) He creates all this world, withdraws it, ordains it in various ways, impels it to action, covers it (with ignorance), brings the light of experience to the soul and re- deems it from the bondage (to which the soul was subjected by Himself).” From this text it is clear that the Supreme Lord is not, as other things are, with- drawn (into another thing, since there is no statement whatever in Scripture of the dissolution or withdrawal of Brahman. By the word ‘Nilina’ in the above text is meant * being hidden (from view)/ which is seen from the parallel text, “ That (Lord) which is perfect and is everywhere, was concealed by (in) the base matter and was still resplendent in its supremacy by its boundless wisdom.” (Rv. X, i29'3). The Paingins’ Sruti says : “ Hidden from view in this darkness. He distinctly sees Prakriti, Purasha and Kâla (matter, the soul and Time); but none other sees Him.” “ He is the eternal of the eternal, the intelligent of the intelligent, and one that does what is desired by many,—the wise that duly see Him centered in their self obtain the eternal tranquillity of release j but none else (obtain it) (Katha, V. 13). “ He is indestructible, is not contaminated by the three qualities, is all-pervading, and is the all-perfect Lord, the Supreme Being.” “ He is eternal, all-pervading, the cause, the witness of the world, unassailed by the three qualities of matter, the omniscient and immutable Lord.” From these and like texts, the eternal nature of the Lord becomes clearly perceived. By the text, “ He who is the eternal of the eternal ” (Kath. V. 13), the indestructibility has been said of the individual soul too. There is another text which says, “ All these intelligent beings proceed (from their mother's womb) "; hence there is a conflict between the texts.’' To reconcile them, the Sutrakara says :