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Chapter 1 – Sutra 34-35
When attention is not directed towards any specific qualities and is solely focused on water, then it is merely referred to as a general notion of water; and that is the essence of water in terms of its substance. Conversely, when attention is directed toward the qualities like color, taste, etc., it can be said that such contemplation on the special attributes of water leads to a specific conception of water. Just as with water, similar deductions can be made about tangible objects. In the same way that there can be general and specific thoughts about a type of water that is spread across different places, there can also be general and specific thoughts about the one eternal self, which is spread across the infinite framework of past, present, and future. When attention is placed on the pure consciousness without considering the variations of time and state, it is referred to as the substance of the subject; and when attention is given to the diverse conditions defined by time and place that arise from that consciousness, it can then be understood as a specific conception of that subject.
Forms of Special Conception: 1. The thought that arises from following worldly traditions and worldly conditioning is called 'nainmanch.' 2. The thought that arranges various types of objects and individuals based on any common principle is termed 'sangrahanay.' 3. The thought that differentiates based on practical applications from the substances that have been unified under a common principle is referred to as 'vyavahar.'