Evolution of Life. 95 



Maya, out of which a new universe is to be builded. 

 Threefold we found Him to be in His manifesta- 

 tion, threefold in the aspect that He showed forth ; 

 so that a Trimurti, or Trinity, is the aspect towards 

 this universe of the manifested God ; His working 

 will show this triple character, and the evolution of 

 life is threefold, whether we study it in nature or in 

 man. I know the thought that arises in many of 

 you, accustomed to the broad statements in eastern 

 literature. You think of the building, the sustain- 

 ing, and the disappearing of a universe. Perfect, 

 you say, is the One Existence, infinite, unchange- 

 able ; perfect in the ending is the universe, as per- 

 fect in the beginning ; why then this long evolution 

 of life with all its struggles, with all its imperfections 

 gradually and slowly transcended. Why from the 

 perfect should the imperfect come forth? Why 

 should it be trained into perfection, and then return 

 into that perfection whence it came ? That question 

 is based on a fundamental misunderstanding which 

 it is necessary to correct ; a misunderstanding which 

 never could have risen amongst you if the Scrip- 

 tures had been read in the light of the Yoga-deve- 

 loped consciousness, and if the broad outline which 

 is presented had been followed out carefully in 

 thought so that its stages might be marked. You 

 will remember how it is written in the Chhdn- 



