Questions of King Milinda Part 01

SR No.: 007681
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: T W Rhys Davids
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1890
Total Pages: 2695
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 47 MB

Page 607

154
VEDÂNTA-SÚTRAS.
being not such, with reference to each (declaration of
difference).
Let this be, but nevertheless it cannot be maintained that Brahman is devoid of difference and attributes, and does not possess double attributes either in itself or on account of difference of station.- Why not? On account of difference. The various vidyâs teach different forms of Brahman; it is said to have four feet (Kh. Up. III, 18, 1); to consist of sixteen parts (Pr. Up. VI, 1); to be characterised by dwarfishness (Ka. Up. V, 3); to have the three worlds for its body (Bri. Up. I, 3, 22); to be named Vaisvanara (Kh. Up. V, 11, 2), &c. Hence we must admit that Brahman is qualified by differences also.-But above it has been shown that Brahman cannot possess twofold characteristics !—That also does not contradict our doctrine; for the difference of Brahman's forms is due to its limiting adjuncts. Otherwise all those scriptural passages which refer to those differences would be objectless.
All this reasoning, we say, is without force on account of the declaration of its being not such, with reference to each,' i.e. because scripture declares, with reference to all the differences produced by the limiting adjuncts, that there is no difference in Brahman. Cp. such passages as the following: "This bright immortal person in this earth, and that bright immortal person incorporated in the body; he indeed is the same as that Self' (Bri. Up. II, 5, 1). It, therefore, cannot be maintained that the connexion of Brahman with various forms is taught by the Veda.
13. Some also (teach) thus.
The members of one sakha also make a statement about the cognition of non-difference which is preceded by a censure of the perception of difference, ‘By the mind alone it is to be perceived, there is in it no diversity. He who perceives therein any diversity goes from death to death' (Bri. Up. IV, 4, 19). Others also (By knowing the enjoyer, the enjoyed, and the ruler, everything has been declared to be threefold, and this is Brahman,' Svet. Up. I, 12)
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