Without the clause nitya, the lakṣaṇa ‘sukha’ can result in ativyāpti in general viṣaya-sukha, and in the naiyāyika’s ānanda (which they take to be a guṇa of the ātma). By adding the clause nitya, both of these are negated, since viṣayānanda, as well as any guṇa is not nitya.

Without the clause ‘svaprakāśa’, the lakṣaṇa ‘nitya’ alone would include kāla, ākāśa etc. which naiyāyika’s take to be nitya. But, they also take them to be jaḍa. Since they are not svaprakāśa, adding the clause excludes them, as is proper.

Without the clause ‘vyāpaka’, the lakṣaṇa ‘svaprakāśa’ alone would include luminous bodies such as the sun, as well as the naiyāyika concept of the jñāna-guṇa, and the kṣaṇika-vijñānavādī’s description of ātma. Since these are not all-pervading, adding the clause vyāpaka serves to exclude them.

Without the clause ‘adhiṣṭhāna of nāma and rūpa’, the lakṣaṇa ‘vyāpaka’ alone would include the ātma accepted by naiyāyikas and prābhākaras, ākāśa and the sāṅkhyá́́’s prakr̥ti. Though they accept these to be vyāpaka, they do not accept them to be the adhiṣṭhāna of nāma and rūpa. Thus, adding this clause serves to exclude them.

With only the lakṣaṇa ‘adhiṣṭhāna of nāma and rūpa’, the rope which is the adhiṣṭhāna of the superimposed snake is also included. To exclude it, the clause ́́́́́́́’svaprakāśa’ (self-illument) is added. This means that which witnesses the buddhi, and is not cognized by it. The rope is jaḍa.

In truth, this second clause it not necessary. According to vedānta, the adhiṣṭhāna of everything that is superimposed is the ‘upahita caitanya’ alone. Thus, ‘adhiṣṭhāna of nāma and rūpa’ alone is a fit lakṣaṇa.

With just the lakṣaṇa ‘svaprakāśa’, it includes the ātma concept of some upāsakas. They take ātma to be both svaprakāśa and posessing avidyā, mala etc.

With just the lakṣaṇa ‘nirmala’, the sāṅkhya ātma is included. To exclude it, the clause ‘apāra’ is added. In their view, though ātma is not limited by deśa or kāla, is it limited by (distinct from) other vastus. Since brahma is not limited by deśa, adding the clause prevents the ativyāpti.