Intelligence

An article on the attainment of the fixed intellect concentrated on God

- Murarilal Dhanuka

Swami Vivekananda, referring to this Sutra, says that this is Sankhya philosophy. We have seen from the same philosophy that everything from the lowest form up to intelligence is nature. Beyond nature are Purushas (souls) which have no qualities. Then how does the soul appear to be happy or unhappy? By reflection. If a red flower is put near a piece of pure crystal, the crystal appears to be red. Similarly, the appearance of happiness or unhappiness of the soul is but a reflection. The soul itself has no colouring. The soul is separate from nature. Sankhya says that intelligence is a compound, it grows and lessens, i.e. it changes just as a body changes, and that its nature is nearly the same as that of a body. Intelligence is like a fingernail to a body. It lasts for an extremely long period of time, while this body can be purged off or thrown off.