Shastratattvanirnay

SR No.: 035255
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nilkanth
Publisher: Scindia Oriental Institute
Publication Year: 1951
Total Pages: 140
Language: Sanskrit
Classification: Book_Devnagari
File Size: 3 MB

Page 17

viii
INTRODUCTION
quite valid are difficult to explain. However, the scriptures are themselves a self-evident proof and are not in the least dependent on reasoning for their establishment. In fact, reasoning exists for the scriptures and not the scriptures for reasoning! One must take for granted their entire statements and employ reasoning only to establish them and not to refute them. Nothing of religion can be established if religious scriptures are made to depend on pure reasoning, but once their self-validity is accepted primarily, harmonious reasoning may be profitably employed with the help of illustrations etc. to justify various matters concerning religion. As regards his proposed lines of reasoning to justify a few apparently dubious matters in the Hindu scriptures, the author says that they are presented by him because they appeared appropriate to his mind and not because they are final in their own form. In case some of them are found to be faulty, intelligent persons should replace them with others more appropriate and faultless but should not use them as a means to condemn the scriptures themselves on their account.
Chapter 6 is the lengthiest and is divided into two halves. In the first half the author puts forth his promis
. ed solutions of a number of dubious Chapter 6: First Half
and vexed problems pertaining to orthodox Hinduism. The more impor
1. Vide V. 32-53, etc. wherein the author shows, by way of illustration. how several passages in the Bible, too, would have to be dismissed if they are put to pure logical test.