Tattva Sangraha Vol 2

SR No.: 007609
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kamlashila, Ganganatha Jha
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra
Publication Year: 1939
Total Pages: 887
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 84 MB

Page 340

" THE REVEALED WORD.”
1065
TEXTS (2264-2265). “AT THE TIME THAT THE CONNECTION IS ASSERTED, IF THE WORD 'Cow'
IS UTTERED, SOME PEOPLE, BEING COGNISANT OF THE CONNECTION, COMPREHEND THE MEANING,-WHILE OTHERS DO NOT DO SO. CONSEQUENTLY, IF, AT ANY TIME, THE CONNECTION WERE NON-EXISTENT, NO ONE WOULD COMPREHEND ITS MEANING.--IT MAY BE ARGUED THAT IF THE CONNECTION WERE THERE, ALL MEN WOULD COMPREHEND IT':-BUT THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE ; BECAUSE (EVEN THOUGH THERE) THE CONNECTION MAY NOT BE KNOWN TO CERTAIN PERSONS.” -[Shlokavārtika-Sambandhāksepaparihāra, 30-31].- (2264-2265)
COMMENTARY. When some one says This Cow should not be touched with the foot', some people, having been cognisant of the Connection of Denoted and Denoter between the word and the particular animal, comprehend the object, through that Connection ; while others who are not cognisant of the Connection com. prehend only the verbal form, not its meaning. Such being the case, if the Connection were not a real entity, then all men, experienced in usage, would be unable to comprehend the meaning. Because the same thing cannot have the two mutually contradictory characters of being existent and nonexistent. From this it follows that the Connection must be there permanently.
Says the Opponent- If the Connection is always there, then how is it that all men do not have the comprehension of the meaning at all times ?'
The Mimümsaka anticipates this objection and supplies the detailed answer to it, in the words- If the Connection were there, etc. etc.'.-'That is not possible, etc.' sets aside the objection.
Why so?
Because the Connection may not be known to certain persons. (2264-2265)
Says the Opponent-Even if the Connection is not known to some persons), why should it not bring about its own effects ? Even though hidden in the holes of the Threshing Yard, the seed does not relinquish its own function of producing the sprout'.
The Mimāmsaka's answer to this is as follows:
TEXT (2266). “THE CONNECTION IS ONLY AN indicator ; HENCE (FOR ITS FUNCTIONING) IT STANDS IN NEED OF BEING COGNISED ITSELF; IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT, THOUGH PRESENT, IT DOES NOT DO THE indicating UNTIL IT IS ITSELF COGNISED." - [Shlokavārtika Sambandha
ksepaparihāra, 32).-(2266)
COMMENTARY. The nature of the Indicator is different from that of the Producer; the Word, like the Smoke, is only an Indicator, not a producer, like the seed. Hence the objection raised is not applicable.-(2266)