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## Introduction
**First Chapter:**
This text contains 114 verses divided into ten chapters. The first chapter comprises verses 1-23. Verses 1-3 discuss the characteristics that lead to the acceptance of an "āpta" (reliable authority). Verse 4 explores the possibility of an individual who is free from any flaws. Verse 5 establishes the existence of a universal "āpta" (omniscient being) through inference, based on a cause that is inseparable from the effect and free from any flaws. Verse 6 logically concludes that this universal "āpta" is the "Arhat" (liberated being), as their teachings (exposition of reality) are not contradicted by any evidence. Verse 7 describes how the teachings of those who advocate for a singular reality are contradicted by direct perception. Verse 8 explains how the teachings of those who advocate for a singular reality are contradicted by direct perception. Since they are self-contradictory, they cannot establish the nature of merit, demerit, etc. Verses 9-11, through three verses, criticize the denial of the four types of absence (prāgabhāva, pradhvamsābhāva, anyonyābhāva, and atyantabhāva) when accepting the existence of an object as solely a form of existence (vidhi). It is explained that denying prāgabhāva (prior absence) would lead to the non-existence of any production, making the effect eternal. Denying pradhvamsābhāva (absence of destruction) would lead to the non-existence of any destruction, making the object eternal. Denying anyonyābhāva (mutual absence) would make it impossible to determine "this is that, this is not that," leading to everything becoming everything. And denying atyantabhāva (absolute absence) would lead to the object losing its own distinct nature. This would completely disrupt the entire system of objects.
Verse 12 criticizes those who consider an object as solely absence (śūnya). It states that accepting an object as absence would require knowledge (bodha) to know it oneself, and means of communication (vacana) to inform others. It would also require both of these to identify and inform others about the flaws in an object that is not desired.