- The very being of the Seen is for his sake (i.e. Prakrti exists only for his
sake).
In the previous Sutras the essential natures of the Seer and Seen have been
pointed out, and it has been shown that even when they seem to be blended completely
in their intimate relationship they are really quite distinct and separate from each other
like oil and water in an emulsion. This Sutra points out that in this close association of
Purusa and Prakrti, the latter plays a subordinate role, that of merely serving the Pu-
rusa. The purpose of the Seen has already been given in II-18, namely providing ex-
perience and means of emancipation for the Purusa. The Sutra under discussion fur-
ther clarifies this point and emphasizes that Prakrti exists only for subserving the pur-
poses of the Purusa. It has no purpose of its own. The whole drama of creation is be-
ing played in order to provide experience for the growth and Self-realization of the
Purusas who are involved in the show.
(one) whose purpose has been fulfilled for; to destroyed; non-existent although not destroyed; existent (than) that to others
on account of being common.- Although it becomes non-existent for him whose purpose has been ful-
filled it continues to exist for others on account of being common to others (besides
him).
This Sutra again deals with a purely theoretical problem of philosophy con-
nected with the relationship existing between Purusa and Prakrti. If the purpose of
Prakrti is to enable the Purusa to obtain Self-realization what happens to it when that
purpose has been fulfilled? The answer given is that Prakrti ceases to exist as far as
that Purusa is concerned. But what does this mean? Does Prakrti cease to exist alto-
gether? Obviously not, because the other Purusas who have not attained Kaivalya still
remain under its influence and continue to work for their emancipation.