n portions are the cause of the birth of creatures, creatures can
never, O monarch, take birth without their aid. They are called Prakriti.
The destruction of Jiva's liability to be united with Prakriti is called
Emancipation. The Mahat-Soul, which is the twenty-fifth, if it regards
that body of sixteen portions called the Unmanifest,[1617] has to assume
it repeatedly. In consequence of not knowing, That which is stainless and
pure, and for its devotion to what is the result of a combination of both
Pure and Impure, the Soul, which is in reality pure, becomes, O king
Impure. Indeed, in consequence of its devotion to Ignorance, Jiva, though
characterised by Knowledge becomes repeatedly associated with Ignorance.
Though, O monarch, free from error of every kind, yet in consequence of
its devotion to the three attributes of Prakriti, it becomes endued with
those attributes.'"'"

SECTION CCCVI

"'"Janaka said, 'O holy one, it has been said that the relation between
male and female is like that which subsists between the Indestructible
and the destructible (or Purusha and Prakriti). Without a male, a female
can never conceive. Without a female a male also can never create form.
In consequence of their union with each other, and each depending upon
the attributes of the other, forms (of living creatures) are seen to
flow. This is the case with all orders of being. Through each other's
union for purposes of (sexual) congress, and through each depending upon
the attributes of the others, forms (of living creatures) flow in
menstrual seasons. I shall tell to thee the indications thereof. Hear
what the attributes are that belong to the sire and what those are that
belong to the mother. Bones, sinews and marrow, O regenerate one, we
know, are derived from the sire. Skin, flesh, and blood, we hear are
derived from the mother. Even this, O foremost of regenerate persons, is
what may be read of in the Vedas and other scriptures. Whatever is read
as declared in the Vedas and in other scriptures is regarded as
authority. The authority, again, of the Vedas and other scriptures (not
inconsistent with the Vedas), is eternal. If Prakriti and Purusha be
always united together in this way by each opposing and each depending on
the other's attributes, I see, O holy one, that Emancipation cannot
exist. Thou, O holy one, art possessed of spiritual vision so that thou
seest all things as if they are present before thy eyes. If, therefore,
t