b) Flesh, etc., are the products not only of earth, (but also of the other two (elements), as scripture states.

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(b) Flesh, etc., are the products not only of earth, (but also of the other two (elements), as scripture states.

From the (Garbha Upanishad) text, “That which is hard (resists) is earth; that which runs is water; that which is hot is fire flesh, etc., only consist (mainly) of earth; not the whole body; and the product (products) of water and fire should (also) be admitted as entering into the composition of the body according to scriptural statements. For the Kashayana Shruti says, “As the so-called elements are really compounds, flesh, etc., in the body are necessarily composite products, because (all) this, (flesh etc.), is produced out of the composite earth, etc. So they call these elements the Bhutas, i.e., the produced.” The Vayuprokta has the following: “Everything (in the world) is a compound of the five elements; however, with reference to some one (predominant) element in particular, a certain product is spoken of as that of earth, etc., in the Vedic enquiries. A certain substance is called a product of earth from the property of resistance, or of water from paleness, or of fire from brilliancy. Accordingly is the statement in Shruti with regard to bones.”

If the body is not the product of one element, whence does the exclusive statement proceed? In reply the Sutrakara says:

23. Only on account of preponderance of some particular element in the constitution of each body such special statements proceed), such special statements (proceed).

The special statements proceed only with reference to the greater proportions of the (constituent) elements entering into (a product or a body).

It is stated in the Brihat Samhita thus: “Earthly bodies consist of earth by half; in the other half three parts are of water, and the remaining one part only is of fire; and let it be understood that this is the proportion in general. Further there is difference of proportion in every individual. In the body of the celestials one-half consists of fire.”

The repetition (twice, of the clause) at the end of the chapter is meant to emphasise what has been said throughout the chapter, and this is said in the Garudapurana. “In the Vedas, and in the enquiries relating to them there shall be the repetition (of some word or phrase) twice over at the end of a chapter, especially in cases where an investigation into the Vedas or Vedic subjects may happen to be made, so that all that has been said previously may be emphasised (ratified). And it is added “(By such a repetition), sanction is given for admitting all the authorities and principles that are not expressly stated and for rejecting all other systems so that this (the Vedic system), may be declared as productive of the Highest Good.”

End of the Second Adhyaya

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