Tattva Sangraha Vol 2

SR No.: 007609
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kamlashila, Ganganatha Jha
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra
Publication Year: 1939
Total Pages: 887
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 84 MB

Page 276

"THE REVEALED WORD."
1001
annulled by Cognition derived from the Veda which is equal in authority to Perception.-(2109-2110)
The other party raises an objection-As a rule that alone is regarded as
Defect' in argument which is admitted by both parties; in the case in question, Revelation is not a means of valid Cognition, for the Buddhist, who posits only two Means of Cognition (Perception and Inference): then how can there be an 'annulment of Inference by what is not accepted as a Means of Cognition,so far as the Buddhist is concerned ?
The answer to this (from the Mimāmsala) is as follows:
TEXTS (2111-2116).
" WHILE THE VEDA IS CLEARLY BRINGING ABOUT THE COGNITION OF
THINGS, THE ASSERTION THAT IT IS NOT A MEANS OF COGNITION TOR ME' SHOULD NOT BE MADE BY A TRUTHFUL PERSON, BY REASON OF SHEER MALICE. IT CANNOT CEASE TO BE A MEANS OF COGNITION, ON THE GROUND THAT THERE IS MALICE AGAINST IT OR BECAUSE IT IS NOT POPULAR; NOR CAN ANYTHING BECOME A MEANS OF COGNITION, ON THE GROUND THAT ONE LIKES IT AND IT IS POPULAR, EVEN THOSE WHO ARE HOSTILE TO THE VEDA DO NOT ASSERT ANY REASON WHY IT SHOULD NOT BE A MEANS OF RIGHT COGNITION ;-BY VIRTUE OF WHICH THEY COULD BE REGARDED AS TRUTHFUL PEOPLE. WHEN PEOPLE, WHO HAVE BEEN INTENT UPON THE STUDY, THE RETENTION AND THE EXPOSITION OF THE VEDA AND UPON THE PERTORMANCE OF ACTS ENJOINED THEREIN, HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETECT ANY GROUNDS OF TALSITY, HOW CAN TREY BE DETECTED BY PERSONS WHO HAVE KEPT THEMSELVES ALOOT FROM IT? IT IS ONLY PERSONS WHO ARE FULLY CONVERSANT WITH A THING AND WHO HAVE THEIR PURPOSE CENTRED THEREIN THAT CAN DETECT THE GOOD AND BAD POINTS OF THAT THING. THOSE EVIL-MINDED PEOPLE ON THE OTHER HAND, WHO ARE HOSTILE TO BRAHMAN AND HAVE BEEN FAR REMOVED FROM THE VEDA, HOW CAN THOSE PEOPLE BARE-FACEDLY SPEAK OF THE GOOD AND BAD POINTS IN THE VEDA?” (2111-2116).
COMMENTARY.
This is how the Mimāmsaka argues--" Things do not become established or otherwise merely according to one's whim; by virtue of which the mere assertion of the opinion would set aside the validity of Verbal Cognition; what is established by reason must be accepted by both parties; it has been explained that the conviction derived from the Vedic declarations regarding Agnihotra, etc. is exceptionally strong ; how then can it be said that it is not a Means of Cognition? It is a mere assertion of yours, wholly devoid of reason ", -Such in brief is what is meant by the Mināmsaka.