SrI: SrImathE SatakOpAya nama: SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama: SrImath varavaramunayE nama:
kārya-kāraṇa-kartṛtve
hetuḥ prakṛtir ucyate
puruṣaḥ sukha-duḥkhānāṁ
bhoktṛtve hetur ucyate
‘For creating effect and instruments, matter is said to be the cause; for experiencing joys and griefs, the soul is said to be the cause.’
Kārya=effect=body.
Kāraṇāni= the instruments viz: the senses of perception, the organs of action, with manas ( = mind). In the making of these two (body and senses) to function the soul envisaged matter alone is the cause. That is to say that all work —or manifested activity— as means to afford enjoyment or experiences (to the soul) is dependent on matter in its state of ‘the field’ impulsed by the soul. The soul simply carries with it the function of the ‘director’ or ‘superintendent’ (adhishṭhatṛi). In this sense, the following Vedānta Aphorism applies to the soul viz:—
‘(The soul is) agent, because Śāstra’s purport is (then) fulfilled,’[2. Br: Sū: II-3-33: ‘Kartā śāstrārthavatvāt.’] etc.
What is agency (or being the doer), to the soul but the being the cause of initiating effort through the medium (or by the governing) of matter?
The soul is the cause for experiencing joy and grief: means that the matter-consorting soul is the seat for such experiences.[3. Consult Bh: Gī: III-27 to 29 in this connection. Also read Bhāg: III-26-9: ‘Kārya-kāraṇa-kartṛitve etc.’]
Thus difference of function each appropriate to matter and soul —when in conjunction,— has been mentioned. Next it is shown how the soul which is inherently fit for self-blessedness, comes to experience pleasures and pains derived from objects (products of matter).
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