Alamban Pariksha

Author(s): Dinnaga, Dharmapala, N Aiyaswami Shastri
Publisher: Adyar Library

Page 93

DHARMAPĀLA'S COMMENTARY
69
Since what is the productive cause for that consciousness is a condition for production, we assume that this is a thing [to serve] as object. At the first sight of a thing only the thing-in-itself (svalakşana) is perceived and nothing more; so we do not call the more (i.e., generality) as object (alambana).
“ The aggregate of atoms does not produce consciousness; because it is not an entity in substance ".
The aggregate is not a real entity ; because it cannot be described either as different from or as one with its constituents. Whichever is nonentity has possibly no efficiency of producing any result,
"Like the double moon ”. The second moon does not cause to raise up the consciousness of the second moon [as it does not exist in substance]. If so, what is the cause of representing that image [in consciousness]?
"Because of the defect of the senses”. When the eye has its sight disturbed by cataract and other diseases, then the appearance of the double moon appears and that, too, not as a real entity.
[29] “ The double moon-cognition has not an object, though the image of the double moon is reflected in it”.
The double moon does not become object of its consciousness though the latter is endowed with the image of the double moon; because this does not produce consciousness.