52 Evolution of Life and Form. 



if he wants to function visibly in the world of man, 

 he will draw round himself the matter of the physi- 

 cal plane, and make for himself a body suitable to 

 the immediate purpose that he has in view. So 

 with every other grade. The Devas of the manasic 

 world use normally the manasic body, and create 

 the kamic or physical body as they may want a tem- 

 porary vehicle. Those of the karmic region use the 

 karmic body normally, and create a physical vehicle 

 when they require it. Thus, in every case, the Deva's 

 ordinary body is composed of the matter of the 

 region of the universe to which he belongs ; but he 

 has always the power to create any vehicle that he 

 needs for carrying out any purpose with which he is 

 charged. This will perhaps suggest to you one 

 reason for the great variety of forms which a single 

 God may assume. Those whose inner sight is deve- 

 loped, who can see in the regions which to ordinary 

 men are invisible, say that the Gods use many forms. 

 And some of their forms have come down tradition- 

 ally, described originally perhaps by a great Rishi, 

 preserved by his disciples, then thrown into some 

 form of earth, or stone, or metal, painted or sculp- 

 tured as the case may be ; then such an image of the 

 God is handed down generation after generation, 

 and represents that Deva under that particular form 

 to his worshippers. We find many forms for one 



