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DHARMAPĀLA'S COMMENTARY
81
because that cognition experiences the forms of the objects like the pot, etc. This inference contradicts the real state of things. For example, when the soundobject is present, no cognition of a blue patch would arise in us. However, although it may be admitted that the aggregate is grasped and some other thing is experienced ; yet it is absolutely impossible to prove that there is distinction among the forms of atoms.
“[It is the object] which exists internally [in knowledge itself] as a knowable aspect.”
This line establishes what the actual object of consciousness is according to the author. If, in general analysis [of a cognition], there is no object [being regarded as one separate from consciousness]; then it evolves lokavirodha, contradiction with the world-a defect for one's own proposition, For, the scriptures state four conditions [for rising up a consciousness].
The word “internally ” shows that there is no object-cause apart from the inner consciousness. [37] The word "knowable aspect” shows that the thing in the form of object is consciousness-product (vijñānapariņāma). Thus the idea of the external that exists in consciousness is grasped as an external object. Now the contradiction with the experience of world comes in; for, men of the world all accept the objects as externally existing. Therefore the author says “as if it exists externally." The real object, however, does not exist apart from consciousness. Its knowable aspect
“appears to us as if it exists externally."
