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170
AŅUOGADDĀRĀIM
(SUTTAS 463
This is the analogical knowledge) achieved through similarity.
463. Then what is (the analogical knowledge) achieved through dissimilarity ?? (The analogical knowledge) achieved through dissimilarity is stated to be threefold, viz.
(a) least dissimilarity; (b) partial dissimilarity;
(c) complete dissimilarity. 464. Then what is the analogical knowledge achieved through) least dissimilarity ? (The analogical knowledge achieved through) least dissimilarity is (illustrated as follows):
As the calf of a speckled cow, not so the calf of a black cow; as the calf of a black cow, not so the calf of a speckled cow.
This is (the analogical knowledge achieved through) least dissimilarity.
465. Then what is the analogical knowledge achieved through partial dissimilarity ? The analogical knowledge achieved through) partial dissimilarity is (illustrated as follows) :
As the vāyasa (crow), not so the payasa (milk-pudding, because though the words vāyasa and pāyasa have the syllables 'yasa' as their common feature, the first stands for a sentient being while the second denotes non-sentient matter); as the payasa, not so the vāyasa.
This is (the analogical knowledge achieved through) partial dissimilarity.
466. Then what is (the analogical knowledge achieved through) complete dissimilarity ? The analogical knowledge achieved through) complete dissimilarity is (illustrated as follows):
There is no (analogical knowledge through) complete dissimilarity, yet an object is (sometimes) compared with itself. For instance, (it is said that) a mean person has acted like a mean person;' a servant has acted like a servant; a crow has acted like a crow; a dog has acted like a dog; a being has acted like a being.
1. Vide supra, sutta No. 459. 2. Vide supra, sutta No. 458.
The element of dissimilarity in this example is brought out by the Commentary, p. 201 B as follows: Even a mean person ordinarily does not commit such a great sin, what to speak of a person who is not mean (nico’pi prāyo naivamvidham mahā papam acarati kim punar anicah). The examples that follow are also to be understood similarly.
