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TATTVASANGRAHA : CHAPTER XXIV.
when they are of equal strength, there can be sublation, then why should not the Inference sublate the Verbal Cognition?"
The answer to this is as follows:
TEXT (2107)
"THE KNOWLEDGE DERIVED FROM THE VEDA IS OF THE SAME DEGREE AS PERCEPTION, AND HENCE STRONGER THAN INFERENCE ; CONSEQUENTLY, IT CAN NEVER BE ANNULLED BY
INFERENCE."—(2107)
COMMENTARY Question-How then is Inference annulled by the Verbal Cognition (derived from the Veda)? Answer -
TEXT (2108). "INASMUCH AS THE VEDA HAS BEEN PLACED IN THE SAME POSITION AS PERCEPTION, IT IS STRONGER THAN, AND HENCE SETS
ASIDE, INFERENCE."—(2108)
COMMENTARY. This has been thus declared—" The cognition derived from the words of the Veda is Perception, and Inference contrary to Perception cannot be valid":-(2108)
Question In what way is Verbal Cognition (derived from the Veda) stronger than Inference-by virtue of which it is regarded as equal to Perception ? Answer
TEXTS (2109-2110).
" THERE IS A DEGREE OF SIMPLICITY IN THE VALIDITY OF VERBAL COGNITION-DUE TO THE FACT OF ITS NOT NEEDING A CORROBORATIVE INSTANCE, AND TO THE ABSENCE OF DEFECTS,—WHICH IS NOT FOUND IN Inference, CONSEQUENTLY, WHENEVER THERE SHOULD BE ANY DOUBT BETWEEN VERBAL COGNITION AND INFERENCE, IT IS VERBAL COGNITION THAT SHOULD BE REGARDED AS STRONGER, AND THE MATTER DETERMINED ACCORDINGLY."
-(2109-2110).
COMMENTARY. * Pramänatvè'-the Locative is to be construed with laghavam'.
* Which is not found in Inference':--because it needs a Corroborative Instance and because defects are possible in it; the defect being that it is
