Gandharavada

Author(s): Esther A Solomon
Publisher: Gujarat Vidyasabha

Page 48

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Even if no means of valid knowledge can acquaint us with a thing it does not fillow that it does not exist; e. g. ghosts, etc. The means of knowledge may not be able to operate with regard to the soul and yet the soul can be an existent entity. But in fact pramāṇas with regard to the existence of the soul are available. The qualities of the soul, viz. memory, desire to go, do, know, etc. and doubt, etc.—which are all particular forms of cognitionare established through self-apprehension. Therefore, the substrate of these qualities must also be known by perception, just as a jar is cognised by perception because its qualities, colour, etc. are cognised thereby. It cannot be argued that the soul docs not exist because it is not perceived, while the jar exists because it is perceived. The existence of the jar will have to be first established before this can be said. And by whatever argument the jar is established, that same will demonstrate the existence of the soul too. The soul must be existent as the substrate of the qualities, knɔwledge, etc.. Knowledge, etc. cannot reside in the body for the knower is different from the senses, because even when these latter do not operate there is the remembrance of what has been cognised by them.
We may at this stage discuss the point that consciousness cannot emerge from the body which is a conglomerate of material elements, though it will mean a slight digression from the present line of thought. Even if we take the opponent at his word that consciousness emerges from the conglomerate of the elements, earth, etc. it must be present to some extent, however slight in each of the elements severally, so as to become full and distinct on their coming together. But this is not true, for consciousness is not observed in the conglomerate. The conglomerate called body comprises not only the elements, but also the soul consciousness exists in this conglomerate it is not on account of the conglomeration of the elements but because it is an attribute of the soul. Consciousness is not found in a dead body and does not emerge even if any element thought to be missing in it is introduced into it. Green grass may be found when there is a conglomerate of earth and water, but this does not