Existence Of Mind and its Function: Śrī Śankara's Perspective

The ability to create something new comes from our desire. According to the Upanisads, the entire creation is the result of the desire of Brahman- सोऽकामयत (Aitareyopanisad I-1-1) The soul's earthly thought is the route of a desire. Desire is the seed of the mind. He thought, let me create the world - स ईक्षत लोकान्नु सृज इति (Brhadaranyakopanisad sbh- I-2-1), let me be endowed with a mind; by means of this self, let me have a mind आत्मन्वी आत्मवान् स्याम्। अहमनेन आत्मना मनसा मनस्वी स्याम्।