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 82

DOCTRINE OF GOD'.
87
between Consecutiveness and Concurrence'; hence only non-eternal things can be productive causes; as it is these alone which go on unceasingly changing their sequential character-of being present now and past at the next moment. Thus it is proved that an Intelligent Maker must be evanescent and many.
As regards the assertion (of the Naiydyika) that "God is endowed with eternal and one Consciousness", - this is contrary to all reason; this is what is indicated by the words "If objects are consecutive, etc. [Objects being fleeting, evanescent, according to the Naiyüyika also, their cognitions also must be evanescent; hence there can be no eternal cognition or con. sciousness).—(76)
What has been just asserted in the second line of the preceding Text) is further supported by the following Text:
TEXT (77).
God's COGNITION MUST BE CONSEOUTIVE, BECAUSE IT IS RELATED TO CONSECUTIVE COGNISABLE THINGS -JUST LIKE THE COGNITION OF DEVADATTA AND OTHER PERSONS, RELATING TO
FLAME AND OTHER THINGS.-(77)
COMMENTARY. That Cognition of which the object is consecutive must itself be consecutive : just as we find in the case of the cognition of Dēvadatta and other mon pertaining to such things as Flame and the like and God's Cognition has for its object only such things as are consecutive. This is a Reason based upon the nature of things. And as this reasoning is put for ward only by way of exposing the incongruity involved in the Theist's position), [and not as a formal Inferential Argument),-it will not be right to urge against it the fact of the Probans being unproven (not admitted by both parties). Inasmuch as the Cognition of Dēvadatta and others relating to such things as Universal' and the rest (which are held to be eternal) would be devoid of the main characteristic of the Probans (evanescence of the Object),--the instance cited is that of things like the Flame (which all parties admit to be evanescent).
Question-"What is the actual proof (argument) which annuls (the Theist's reasonings) ?"
Answer-If God's Cognition manifesting itself is produced by an object which is consecutive, then it becomes proved that it must be consecutive;
-if it is not so produced, then, as there would be no proximate contact (with the Object and the Cognition), God could not cognise the Object at all. And the result of this would be either that Cognitions would have to be held as valid even in the absence of their object, or you would have to renounce your doctrine (regarding the omniscience of God). There would be a further absurdity that, in regard to such objects as have been destroyed, or have not yet been produced, the Cognition (of God) would be objectless. -This is the argument that annuls the Theist's reasonings.-(77)