Gandharavada

SR No.: 006739
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Esther A Solomon
Publisher: Gujarat Vidyasabha
Publication Year: 1966
Total Pages: 400
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 18 MB

Page 90

GAŅADHARA 1 – INDRABHŪTI
EXISTENCE OF THE SOUL
(1549) (Indrabhūti), you have a doubt as to the existence of) the soul, because it is not directly perceived as the jar is: and nothing that is utterly imperceptible exists in the world e.g. the sky-flower.
(1550) (Your argument is:) And it cannot be known by inference, because that too depends on perception. We can infer on the basis of the memory of the relationship of the mark (linga, reason, probans) with that whose mark it is (lingin, probandum)- (the relation) which has been cognised earlier.
(1551) One has never cognised the relation between the soul and its mark, so that on seeing the mark again, one might remember it and thus have correct knowledge regarding the (existence of the) soul.
(1552) It cannot even be known through verbal testimony, for verbal testimony is not in essence) different from inference. And the soul has not been perceived by any one so that his statement could be accepted as verbal testimony.
(1553) Moreover the scriptures make statements which conflict with one another. Hence too it is but proper that one should have a doubt. (Thus, 0 Indrabhūti), you believe that the soul is beyond the scope of all the means of knowledge.
(1554) Gautama ! The soul is perceived. The cognition of the type of doubt, etc. (that you have), that itself is the soul ( because it is of the nature of knowledge). And what is directly perceived does not need to be established (by any other means of knowledge), e.g., (sensations of) pleasure and pain in one's own body.