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 1399

386
VEDÂNTA-SOTRAS.
for it intimates that after having mounted on high through an opening as large as the wheel of a chariot, granted by Vayu, he approaches the sun. The Satra therefore rightly says, 'On account of the absence and presence of specification.'— The Vagasaneyins in their text record that he proceeds from the months to the world of the gods, from the world of the gods to the sun' (Bri. Up. VI, 2, 15). Here, in order to maintain the immediate succession of Vayu and Aditya, we must suppose the souls to go from the world of the gods to Vâyu. What the Satra says about the soul going to Väyu from the year has reference to the text of the Khåndogya. As between the Vågasaneyaka and the Khândogya, the world of the gods is absent from one, the year from the other. As both texts are authoritative, both stages have to be inserted in each, and the distinction has to be made that, owing to its connexion with the months, the year has the first place (i.e. after the months and before the world of the gods), and the world of the gods the second place.
3. Beyond lightning (there is) Varuna, on account of the connexion (of the two).
The Khandogya continues, 'From Aditya to the moon, from the moon to lightning.' Here Varuna (mentioned in the Kaushîtaki-upan.) has to be brought in so that above that lightning he goes to the world of Varuna. For there is a connexion between lightning and Varuna; the broad lightnings dance forth from the womb of the clouds with the sound of deep thunder, and then water falls down. And a Brâhmana also says, 'It lightens, it thunders, it will rain' (Kh. Up. VII, 11, 1). But the lord of all water is Varuna, as known from Sruti and Smriti.—And above Varuna there come Indra and Pragâpati, as there is no other place for them, and according to the force of the text, as it stands. Varuna and so on should be inserted at the end, for that reason also that they are merely additional, no particular place being assigned to them. And lightning is the end of the road beginning with light".
So that Varuna and so on are to be placed after lightning.
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