Sbg 8.16 etassa

English Translation of Abhinavgupta's Sanskrit Commentary By Dr. S. Sankaranarayan 8.16 A Brhma etc. [This verse] has been interpreted by all as 'There is r irth even for those who have reached the world of Brhma (the personal god).' If this interpretation is accepted, then it would amount to the proposition that going to the worlds that are higher than that [of Brahma], is emancipation [from r irth]. However according to us, with our inner sight blurred by the powerful darkness of doubt, this interpretation does not seem to touch the heart [of the text]. Hence, the following is the wick of the lamp brought from the Agama literature : Till Brahman : Till the status of the Supreme Brahman is attained. Till then all are subject to return (to r irth) from each and every world, whether it lies adjacently, or above or below [the world of Brahman]; men run round like a wheel wandering without stop from one place to another.

But who knows in this manner viz.,  'from all the world there is return' ?  For, it is heard [in the Puranas]  that [the personal gods like]  Brahma etc., themselves exist indeed for a very  long period.  How is it  that they too are subject to return again ?  If they are subject to return, will they not be of the nature of having birth and death ?  Expecting this objection,  [the Lord] says :