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INDISTINCT APPREHENSION
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drops of water. But, when it is moistened again and again, it gets wet. Similarly, matter in the modes of sounds and so on does not become distinct in the first two or three instants. But, when it is apprehended again and again, it becomes distinct. Therefore, there is indistinct apprehension prior to distinct apprehension. Distinct apprehension is arthāvagraha. And speculation etc. do not arise from indistinct apprehension.
Does indistinct apprehension occur in the case of all the senses ? No.
न चक्षुरनिन्द्रियाभ्याम् Na cakşııranindriyābhyām
(19) 19. Indistinct apprehension does not arise by means of the eyes and the mind.
Indistinct apprehension does not ocour in the case of the eyes and the mind. How? It is because there is no contact in the case of these two sense-organs. The eyes perceive without contacting an object, which is fit and which is placed in the vicinity in proper perspective and revealed by external light. Similarly, there is no contact between the mind and the object. Hence, there is no indistinct apprehension in the case of the sense of sight and the mind.
How is it ascertained that there is no contact in the case of the eyes? It is ascertained from the scriptures and by inference. First from the scriptures.
“The ears apprehend both sounds that come and do not come in contact with these, but the eyes apprehend only colour which does not come into contact with these. In that manner the sense-organs of smell, taste and touch apprehend smell, taste and touch which do and do not come into contact with these."
From inference also. The sense-organ of sight is one with. out contact, for it does not apprehend an object in contact with it. If it were one with contact, it would perceive the collyrium applied to the eye. But it does not perceive it; so it is a sense without contact like the mind.
Therefore, indistinct apprehension is possible in the case of
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