Sbg 8.22 etassa

English Translation of Abhinavgupta's Sanskrit Commentary By Dr. S. Sankaranarayan 8.22 Parah etc. upto pratisthitam. The Absolute (Vasudevatattva) of the above description is beyond the concept of Time Manifest : [because] It is immanent in all beings. In spite of being so, It is Unmanifest : because It is difficult to attain. That It is, however, attainable by means of devotion has also been made clear already. In This exists this universe which is [Its] perennial nature that remains always the same.

Now, what is the meaning of the word, punah 'again' and of the word avrtti 'returning' ? This meaning certainly presupposes a conditon of disruption of one's own nature for sometime in the intervening period. The auspicious Supreme Lord's real nature is His Absolute Freedom viz., the Supreme Consciousness that transcends the universe, yet remains identical with the universe, and serves as the basis of the universe; and It is perennial. Hence, it cannot be assumed that there was some disruption at any time for this real nature and that the Supreme Lord regained that nature. Hence it is rightly said 'Having attained Me' etc.

So far the behaviour of those persons who attain the Bhagavat by constant practice without much labour has been described.  Now a difference that lies between  those who, by departing, will  (or attain)  emancipation and those who will enjoyment  [of mundane life],  is described :