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## 128
Swami Samantabhadra.
The above verse, which follows this verse and describes the characteristics of scripture (agama), is useless for several reasons. Firstly, it does not describe the characteristics of scripture in accordance with agama pramana. It does not explain whether the knowledge arising from such scripture is called agama pramana or shabda pramana, but rather it is generally designated as an agama substance, which is described in the 'Ratnakarandaka' as the subject of right faith. Secondly, shastra pramana is not a separate entity from shabda pramana, which needs to be mentioned separately after shabda pramana, but rather it is included within it. The commentator, by imagining two divisions of shabda, 'laukik' and 'shastraja', has indicated that the characteristics of both are included in this eighth verse; *this makes it even clearer that the 'shastraja' division of shabda is not mentioned in the ninth verse. Thirdly, the word 'shastra' or 'agama' has not been used anywhere in the entire text before this, which this ninth verse is understood to be the defining characteristic of, nor is there any indication in the original text of a division called 'shastraja', of which this verse could be the defining characteristic of one element (shastra); fourthly, if it is said
"Therefore, having described the characteristics of self-inference, now, to refute the error and misunderstanding of those who hold such views, and because the characteristics of inferred objects are briefly mentioned, the characteristics of shabda are now stated."
1. 'Nyaya Avatara' has described the characteristics of pramana in its first verse as being non-obstructed knowledge that is self-illuminating, therefore, it should be applicable to every division of pramana.
* 'Shabda is of two types - laukik and shastraja. This verse describes the common characteristics of both.'
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