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ĀLAMBANAPARĪKSĀ The expression “I see the object externally” is: based upon wrong belief just as the visual consciousness of the hair-like thing in the sky, etc.
“Though the external things are denied."
The external thing does not exist in reality, because it is not experienced as such. If we examine it very carefully with reasoning, we do not experience it externally and in its own invariable essence. Though the opponent. may admit [a thing] characterised as external and existing in substance, yet it cannot become the objectcause of consciousness. Nor is the form of atoms experienced ; because the atoms possess no forms. [experienced in our cognitions].
“[That grahyamsa] which appears to us as though existent externally, serves as the actual
object-cause."
Because [that alone] possesses the form of that (i.e., object). [To prove the above the following syllogism is formulated.] Whatever thing possesses whatever form, that thing is identical with that form ; for example, the causality is possessed of its own form, [i.e., the nature of being cause; that causality is not distinct from the nature of being cause].
Again the author shows some distinct character of the actual object (alambana) when he says:
“Because consciousness is the essence of that [i.e., object],” etc.
[38] It is clear that the external thing which is an illusion, does not exist as an object. The form of an
