Janamejaya said O twice-born one, are there many souls or is there only one? Who, in the universe, is the foremost of Souls? What, again, is said to be the source of all things?

Vaishampayana said, In the Sankhya and the Yoga Systems many are the Souls spoken of. O preceptor of Kuru's race, those who follow these systems do not wish to assert that there is but one Purusha in the universe.

Similarly in scriptures in which the many Souls are said to have one origin in the Supreme Soul, it may be said that this entire universe is at one with that one Soul of superior attributes. I shall explain this now, after bowing to my preceptor Vyasa, that foremost of Rishis, who is conversant with the soul, endued with penances, self-controlled, and worthy of respectful adoration.

This speculation on Purusha, O king, occurs in all the Vedas. It is well-known to be at one with Rita and Truth. The foremost of Rishis, viz., Vyasa, has thought upon it.

Having occupied themselves with reflection on what is called the spiritual science, various Rishis, O king, having Kapila for their first, have declared their opinions on this subject both generally and particularly.

Through the favour of Vyasa of great energy, I shall explain to you what Vyasa has said in brief on this question of the Oneness of Soul.

Regarding it is cited the old discourse between Brahman, O king, and the Three-eyed Mahadeva.

In the midst of the Ocean of milk, there is a very huge mountain of great effulgence like that of gold, known, O king, by the name of Vaijayanta.

Going there all alone, from his own abode of great splendour and happiness, the illustrious god Brahman used very often to pass his time, engaged in thinking on the course of spiritual science.

While the four-headed Brahman of great intelligence, as seated there, his son Mahadeva, who had originated from his forehead, met him one day in course of his travel through the universe.

In days of yore, the Three-eyed Shiva endued with power and high Yoga, while proceeding along the sky, saw Brahman seated on that mountain and, therefore, dropped down quickly on its top.

With a cheerful heart he appeared before his progenitor and adored his feet. Seeing Mahadeva prostrated at his feet, Brahman took him up with his left hand.

Having thus raised Mahadeva up, Brahman, that powerful and one Lord of all creatures, then addressed his son, whom he met after long time in those words.

The Grandfather said Welcome are you, O you of mighty arms! By good luck I see you after such a long time before me. I hope, O son, that everything is right with your penances, and your Vedic studies and recitations. You always observe the austerest penances. hence I ask you about the progress and well-being of those penances of yours.

Rudra said O Illustrious One, through your grace, all is well with my penances and Vedic studies. It is all right, again, with universe.

I saw your illustrious self a long while ago in your own home of happiness and effulgence! I am coming thence to this mountain that is not the habitation of your feet.

My mind is filled up with great curiosity for your thus coming into such a secluded mind from your usual religion of happiness and splendour. There must be great reason, O Grandfather, for such an act.

Your own foremost of abodes is free from the pains of hunger and thirst and inhabited by both gods and Asuras, by Rishis of great splendour, as also by Gandharvas and Apsaras. Leaving such a spot of happiness, you live alone in this foremost of mountains. The cause of this cannot but be weighty.

This foremost of mountains, called Vaijayanta, is always my abode. Here, with concentrated mind, I meditate on the one universal Soul of infinite proportions.

Rudra said Self-create you are. Many are the Souls that haven been created by you. Others again, O Brahman, are being created by you. The Infinite Soul, however, of whom you speak, is one and single.

Who is that foremost of Souls, O Brahman, that is being meditated by you? Great is my curiosity about it. Do you kindly remove the doubt that has possessed my mind!

Brahman said O son, many are those Souls of whom you speak. The one Soul, however, of whom I am thinking, transcends all Souls and is invisible.

The many Souls that exist in the universe constitute the basis upon which that one Soul slands; and since that one Soul is said to be the source whence all the innumerable Purushas have originated, hence all the latter, if they succeed in divesting themselves of attributes, become competent to enter into that one Soul who is at one with the universe, who is supreme, who is the foremost of the foremost, who is eternal, and who is himself divested of and is above all qualities. 77977 Ryt fagd TH

The many Souls that exist in the universe constitute the basis upon which that one Soul slands; and since that one Soul is said to be the source whence all the innumerable Purushas have originated, hence all the latter, if they succeed in divesting themselves of attributes, become competent to enter into that one Soul who is at one with the universe, who is supreme, who is the foremost of the foremost, who is eternal, and who is himself divested of and is above all qualities.