Questions of King Milinda Part 02

SR No.: 007682
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: T W Rhys Davids
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1894
Total Pages: 2240
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 38 MB

Page 1298

III ADHYAYA, 4 PÂDA, 2.
285
FOURTH PÅDA. REVERENCE TO THE HIGHEST Self! 1. The purpose of man (is effected) thence (i. e. through the mere knowledge of Brahman), thus Bådarayana opines.
The Satrakâra at present enters on an inquiry whether the knowledge of the Self which is derived from the Upanishads, is connected with works through him who is entitled to perform the works, or is an independent means to accomplish the purpose of man. He begins by stating the final view in the above Satra, 'Thence' &c. The teacher Badarayana is of opinion that thence, i.e. through the independent knowledge of Brahman enjoined in the Vedanta-texts, the purpose of man is effected.—Whence is this known ?- From scripture,' which exhibits passages such as the following : He who knows the Self overcomes grief' (Kh. Up. III, 4, 1); 'He who knows that highest Brahman becomes even Brahman' (Mu. Up. III, 2, 9);
He who knows Brahman attains the Highest' (Taitt. Up. II, 1); 'For him who has a teacher there is delay only so long as he is not delivered; then he will be perfect' (Kh. Up. VI, 14, 2); 'He who has searched out and understands the Self which is free from sin, &c. &c., obtains all worlds and all desires' (Kh. Up. VILI, 7, 1); The Self is to be seen' &c. up to ‘Thus far goes immortality' (Bri. Up. IV, 5, 6–15). These and similar texts declare that mere knowledge effects the purpose of man.–Against this the opponent raises his voice as follows.
2. On account of the Self) standing in a supplementary relation (to action), (the statements as to
1 The pûrvapakshin (see next Satra) maintains that the knowledge of the Self is subordinate to (sacrificial) action through the mediation of the agent, i.e. in so far as it imparts to the agent a certain qualification.
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