10. 'Whosoever, O Gargi, without knowing that Akshara (the imperishable), offers oblations in this world, sacrifices, and performs penance for a thousand years, his work will have an end. Whosoever, O Gargi, without knowing this Akshara, departs this world, he is miserable (like a slave) . But he, O Gargi, who departs this world, knowing this Akshara, he is a Brahmana.'

11. 'That Brahman,' O Gargi, 'is unseen, but seeing; unheard, but hearing; unperceived, but perceiving; unknown, but knowing. There is nothing

that sees but it, nothing that hears but it, nothing that perceives but it, nothing that knows but it. In that Akshara then, O Gargi, the ether is woven, like warp and woof.'

12. Then said Gargi: 'Venerable Brahmans, you may consider it a great thing, if you get off by bowing before him. No one, I believe, will defeat him in any argument concerning Brahman.' After that Vakaknavi held her peace.

Footnotes

^136:2 Madhyandina text, p. 1075.

^136:3 Gargi, not the wife of Yagnavalkya.

^137:1 Deussen, p. 143, translates, 'between heaven and earth,' but that would be the antariksha.

^137:2 This repetition does not occur in the Madhyandina text.

^138:1 Not adhering to anything, like lac or gum.

^138:2 Each follows its own course.

^138:3 He stores up the effects from work, like a miser his riches,' Roer. 'He is helpless,' Gough.