551. Sarvabhutatmakrit is explained by Nilakantha thus. He who is Sarvabhutatman is again bhutakrit. On the authority of the Srutis the commentator adds,—ye ete pancha akasadayodhatavo-dharana-karmanah sa eva Brahma.
552. The word Devah here is evidently used in the sense of luminous or shining ones and not in that of gods or deities.
553. The Rishis supposed that the pouring of water created the air instead only of displaying it.
554. All created things are called Bhutas, but the five principal elements, viz., fire, air, earth, water, and space, are especially called Bhutas or Mahabhutas.
555. This is certainly curious as showing that the ancient Hindus knew how to treat diseased plants and restore them to vigour.
556. K.P. Singha wrongly renders this verse. The Burdwan translator is right.
557. Both the Bengal and the Bombay texts read bhutani. The correct reading, however, appears to be bhutanam.
558. The word for duct is Srotas. It may also be rendered 'channel.' Very like the principal artery or aorta.
559. Notwithstanding much that is crude anatomy and crude physiology in these sections, it is evident, however, that certain glimpses of truth were perceived by the Rishis of ancient times. Verse 15 shows that the great discovery of Harvey in modern times was known in ancient India.
560. In works on yoga it is laid down that the main duct should be brought under the control of the will. The soul may then, by an act of volition, be withdrawn from the whole physical system into the convolutions of the brain in the head. The brain, in the language of yogins, is a lot us of a thousand leaves. If the soul be withdrawn into it, the living creature will then be liberated from the necessity of food and sleep, etc., and will live on from age to age, absorbed in contemplation of divinity and in perfect beatitude.