Page 42 - Hinduism

well as difference between Brahman, the Jīva and the world.
According to Viśiṣtādvaita, soul (cit), matter (acit) and God (Īśvara) are real. Of these cit and acit are the special qualities, prakāra, of Īśvara, and Īśvara is the possessor of these qualities or modes (prakārin). A prakāra is that by the help of which its substratum is known. Prakāra cannot exist without the prakārin; therefore Brahman possessed of cit and acit is termed one. As prakārin and prakāra are intrinsically different, there is difference in their nature. Acit is of three varieties, like śuddhasattva, miśrasattva and sattvaśūnya. Śuddhasattva is self- effulgent. It is called Paramapada. Time is sattvaśūnya: but it is also eternal like space. Miśrasattva, being subject to sattva, rajas and tamas, develops in the form of the 24 tattvas called prakṛti, mahat, ahaṅkāra, the subtle elements, senses, etc. It also forms the body and ahaṅkāra of Jīvas according to their previous karma. Saṁsāra is the cycle of repeated births and deaths of embodied souls brought about by mamakāra or egoism and ajñāna. In the cycle of karma and avidyā the sins of some persons are destroyed by their virtues. Then they pray to God for redemption. They realise the true knowledge of the Śāstras by the instruction of a good teacher attained by God's grace or dayā. They duly practise the obligatory and optional duties according to their station in life and acquire the enriching spiritual qualities of śama, dama, tapas, 42