THE EQUINOX
the love, remain undeniable. It is the first reversed triangle
of the Tree of Life.
What is said of “Samvritti” is nonsense. The Vrittis are
impressions or the causes of impressions. Samvritti is sim-
ply the sum of these.
45. Allis impermanent in man except the pure bright es-
sence of Alaya. Man is its crystal ray; a beam of light
immaculate within, a form of clay material upon the lower
surface. That beam is thy life-guide and thy true Self, the
Watcher and the silent Thinker, the victim of thy lower Self.
Thy Soul cannot be hurt but through thy erring body; con-
trol and master both, and thou art safe when crossing to the
nearing “Gate of Balance.”
Here we have Alaya identified with Atma. The rest of
the verse is mostly poetic nothing, and there is no guide to
the meaning of the word “Soul.” It is a perfectly absurd
theory to regard the body as capable of inflicting wounds
upon the Soul, which is apparently the meaning here. The
definition of Atma gives impassibility as almost its prime
condition.
From the phrase “control and master both” we must sup-
pose that the Soul here spoken of is some intermediate prin-
ciple, presumably Nephesh.
46. Be of good cheer, O daring pilgrim “to the other
shore.” Heed not the whisperings of Méra’s hosts; wave
off the tempters, those ill-natured Sprites, the jealous
Llamayin in endless space.
This verse may be again dismissed as too easily indulgent
in poetic diction. A properly controlled mind should not
106