and all the shifting conditions of the mortal realm--these are the branches;
but the origin of the tree, the Brahman, is eternally pure, unchanging, free
and deathless. From the highest angelic form to the minutest atom, all
created things have their origin in Him. He is the foundation of the
universe. There is nothing beyond Him.


II

Whatever there is in the universe is evolved from Prana and
vibrates in Prana. That is a mighty terror, like an upraised
thunderbolt. They who know That become immortal.


III

From fear of Him the fire burns, from fear of Him the sun shines.
From fear of Him Indra and Vayu and Death, the fifth, speed
forth.

Just as the body cannot live or act without the Soul, similarly
nothing in the created world can exist independent of Brahman,
who is the basis of all existence. His position is like that of a
king whom all must obey; hence it is said that the gods of sun,
moon, wind, rain, do His bidding. He is likened to an upraised
thunderbolt, because of the impartial and inevitable nature of
His law, which all powers, great or small, must obey absolutely.


IV