Tattva Sangraha Vol 1

SR No.: 007608
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kamlashila, Ganganatha Jha
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra
Publication Year: 1937
Total Pages: 753
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 42 MB

Page 162

(B) MIMĀMSĀ DOCTRINE OF THE SELE
167
Question-What is the Proof (Means of Cognition) that establishes the existence of the Soul ?
The answer is supplied by the following Text:
TEXT (228) " THE SPIRIT (OR SOUL.) AS DESCRIBED IS PROVED BY THE PRESENCE OF RECOGNITION; AND THE DOCTRINE OF 'No-SOUL' IS DISPROVED
BY THIS SAME (RECOGNITION)."-(228)
COMMENTARY.
By the presence of Recognition,-involved in such notions as 'I cognised it', 'I am cognising it' and so forth, where there is recognition of the same "doer' (cogniser)—is proved the existence of the Soul.-By this same-Recognition-also is disproved the doctrine of No Soul', as pro. pounded by the Buddhist and others; as has been thus declared This from this fact Recognition which is admitted by all men, follows the refutation of the doctrine of No-Soul'-(Shlokavārtika, Ātmavāda, 136).-(228)
Question-How do these two conclusions follow from the fact of Recognition ?
The answer is as follows:
TEXTS (229-237).
** THE NOTION OF 'I' INVOLVED IN THE CONCEPTION I KNOW 'ENVISAGES
THE Cogniser ; THIS Cogniser MAY BE EITHER THE 'SOUL' OR THE ABSOLUTELY EVANESCENT COGNITION (IDEA). IF IT IS THE
SOUL' THAT IS THB OBJECTIVE OF THAT NOTION, THEN ALL IS SQUARE ; ON THE OTHER HAND, IF THE MOMENTARY COGNITION (IDEA) IS HELD TO BE SO, THEN ALL BECOMES INEXPLICABLY CONFOUNDED. FOR INSTANCE, THE NOTION THAT APPEARS IN THE FORM IT WAS I WHO COGNISED THIS THING ON A PREVIOUS OOCASION, AND IT IS I WHO AM COGNISING IT NOW', .-OF THIS NOTION, WHAT COGNITIVE MOMENT IS ASSUMED TO BE THE OBJECTIVE? WOULD SUCH A MOMENT 'BE (a) past, OR (6) present, OR (C) IN THE FORM OF A CONTINUED SERIES? IF IT BE THE FIRST (a), THE MOMENT COULD WELL BE THE OBJECTIVE OF THE NOTION 'I COGNISED IT (IN THE PAST); BUT IT COULD NOT BE TIE OBJEOTIVE OF THE NOTION I AM COGNISING IT (NOW)', BECAUSE THE COGNISER IS NOT COGNISING THE THING AT THE MOMENT OF SPEAKING; IT IS ONLY WHEN THE OBJECT IS PRESENT AT THE TIME (OF COGNITION) THAT IT CAN BE SPOKEN OF AS I AM COGNISING IT', BUT (IN REGARD TO SUCH A PRESENT OBJECT) IT WOULD NOT BE TRUE TO SAY
I COGNISED IT, BECAUSE THE OBJECT DID NOT EXIST IN THE PAST, -FROM THIS IT FOLLOWS THAT BOTH OF THESE (PAST AND PRESENT)