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(The Spiritual ascent commenced finally on the appearance of Sri
Krishna. It was to prevail for the remaining life period of the uni-
verse. The Asuras had done their work by this time, and therefore
they finally returned to Vaikuntha).
[THOUGHTS ON THE ABOVE.]
The Daityas and the Danavas are both called Asuras. But there
is a radical difference between the two classes.
The Daityas are opposed to the A-dityas. The root verb d ??.
means to cut to pieces, to separate. Diti is that which separates.
Aditi is that which does not separate. Jivatma is the same in all
beings. One life principle animates all the forms of creation.
The idea of separateness did not exist from before. The elementals
that began life in this Kalpa from the spiritual plane, have hardly any
idea of separate existence. The Devas and Pitris are described as
classes (ganas), and not as individuals. In the Mineral Kingdom,
again, there is no individual existence. Individuality has to be
worked out, and the sons of Diti bring about this great work in the
evolution of life forms.
When we have the sense of separate existence strong in us,
we become capable of further evolution. By our individual expe-
riences, we know what is right and what is wrong, what is pleasurable
and what is painful. Things that give joy give pain as well. It is
the measure of pleasure or pain that teaches us what to covet and
what to shun. Then we have the fact that by our very existence we
have duties to perform. The teachings of other ages that are revealed
to the Rishis and proclaimed by them, give us a better idea of
things, and they tell us more than we can know of by our own
experience. The Asuras lead us on and on, till we reach the highest
point that, with a sense of individuality, we may attain.
When the individual soul gathers all experience that may be
acquired by the idea of separateness, it traces back its way to that
spiritual home whence it came. In the return journey, it is helped
by the Adityas, who gradually efface the idea of separateness, by an
ever increasing infusion of Satva: Vishnu himself became Aditya and
taught men the unity of all souls.
The Adityas who guided the early elementals had to be crushed,
so that separateness might grow. Pushan and Bhaga were therefore
overpowered by the attendants of Siva at the sacrifice of Daksha.
The Adityas who guide humanity in their return to spirituality
are themselves high spiritual energies, the highest Devas of our Triloki,
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