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 The Beginnings of Hindu Theosophy 237

gins to create through the force of devotion (tapas). Here an even more primary condition is assumed: the fundamental force is itself put forth by, or is born from, devotion. This devotional fervor marks either another start at a primeval cause, or, paradox- ical as this may seem, is the devotional fervor of the yet uncreated sages. Anyhow these sages appear upon the scene as dcz' a1: mac/Mm in the next stanza, and then, after this gap has been spanned, the work of creation can really proceed.

FOURTH STANZA.

“ Desire arose 2'72 Z/ze ngz'mzing 2'72 m2: ,- it was Ms ﬁrst seed of mind. TIM sages 6y devotion fauna! we root of dying in mashing, seeking it in (Meir) heart.”

Desire, Kama, the equivalent of Greek "Epcer “ Love,” means here the desire to live; it is the ﬁrst possible seed or fruit of the mind, for there is no conceivable action of the mind which is not preceded by life. The second herniatich introduces an even more primordial creative role on the part of the sages, whose devotion is the real promotive force in the act of creation. The post does not tell whence come the sages at this stage of the drama. The production of this creation, which is here deﬁned as “being” coming out of “non-being,” contradicts, the ﬁrst stanza where “ non-being” is denied : “ How