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ĀPTA-MĪMĀMSĀ
31. The doctrine of those who profess generalization, does not touch the differentiation. All of their words become false for absence of generalization.
94
COMMENTARY
All objects have two kinds of properties, viz, sāmānya (general or generalizing) and viseṣa (specific or differentiating). The general properties express the genus (jāti) etc. and the specific properties describe the species, differences and distinctions. From general properties, we get the idea of jar-ness in hundred pitchers and from specific properties people distinguish their own pitchers from others.1
In this verse, the view of the Buddhists who suppose a general property (Sāmānya) without reference to the specific properties of a thing is refuted. It is urged that this view is absurd as everything becomes non-existent being devoid of its differentiating quality. For example, 'the horn of an ass' is without any differentia because it is totally non-existent. In the same way a thing is without its differentia only when it is considered to be totally non-existent.
By the word Anyeṣām and Teṣām in the verse the Buddhists are meant. It is laid down that all their words are false as in absence of differentiation, generalization cannot exist and without generalization, no process of inference can proceed.
1. अर्थाः सर्वेऽपि सामान्यविशेषा उभयात्मकाः । सामान्यं तत्र जात्यादि विशेषश्च विभेदकाः ॥ ऐक्यबुद्धिर्घटशते भवेत् सामान्यधर्मतः । विशेषाच्च निजं निजं लक्षयन्ति घटं जनाः ॥
Naya-karṇikā, verses 3 and 4.
