It is permanent in the sense that, although temporarily crippled by manifest creations, it always remains uncrippled in its original and isolated stated. While the primordial nature is an active creator, and among the manifest creations some are also active creators, the self is a non-creator in the sense of being a disinterested spectator to activities. The way in which it is an enjoyer has already been explained above. It is without properties (guṇa) since it is not of the nature of rajas, tamas and sattva.1
Since pervasiveness does not involve activity, it is inactive. These are the characteristics of the soul (puruṣa).
It was mentioned that, ‘while the primordial nature is an active creator, and among the manifest creations some are also active creators…;’ so which of the manifest creations are active creators and which are not? We will go into some detail to explain this matter.
Rajas, tamas and sattva are the three properties. Rajas is characterised by movement and involvement, tamas by heaviness and darkness, and sattva by lightness and clarity. They are synonymous with happiness, suffering and confusion. In the primary principle (pradhāna) these are in perfect equilibrium, their qualities in their original form cancelling each other out. The primordial nature (prakṛti) is the state when these have not yet manifestly evolved.
As was said, ‘from the primordial nature comes the great principle (mahat),’ a synonym for intelligence (buddhi). From the great principle comes the ego (ahaṃkara), which has three forms: changeable (vikāra[?]), luminous (sāttvika) and dark (tāmasika). From the changeable ego come the five subtle elements (tanmātra): form, sound, smell, taste and texture. From the subtle elements come the major elements: earth, water, fire, wind and ether. From the luminous ego come the five motor organs (voice, hands, legs, anus and genitals) and five mental organs (eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin), which together with mind, which has both characteristics, makes eleven. The dark ego is involved in both other types of ego. The great principle, the ego and the five subtle elements are creators and creations, while the ten faculties, mind and major elements are only creations. The primordial nature is uncreated. This is what the scripture states.
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Chapter 1: Pramuditā
