________________
18
VEDÂNTA-SOTRAS.
the only means of knowledge, as they are in the enquiry
into active duty (i.e. in the Parva Mîmamsa), but scriptural , texts on the one hand, and intuition, &c., on the other hand, are to be had recourse to according to the occasion : firstly, because intuition is the final result of the enquiry into Brahman; secondly, because the object of the enquiry is an existing (accomplished) substance. If the object of the knowledge of Brahman were something to be accomplished, there would be no reference to intuition, and text, &c., would be the only means of knowledge. The origination of something to be accomplished depends, moreover, on man since any action either of ordinary life, or dependent on the Veda may either be done or not be done, or be done in a different way. A man, for instance, may move on either by means of a horse, or by means of his feet, or by some other means, or not at all. And again (to quote examples of actions dependent on the Veda), we meet in Scripture with sentences such as the following: 'At the atirâtra he takes the shodasin cup,' and 'at the atirâtra he does not take the shodasin cup;' or, 'he makes the oblation after the sun has risen,' and, he makes the oblation when the sun has not yet risen.' Just as in the quoted instances, injunctions and prohibitions, allowances of optional procedure, general rules and exceptions have their place, so they would have their place with regard to Brahman also (if the latter were a thing to be accomplished). But the fact is that no option is possible as to whether a substance is to be thus or thus, is to be or not to be. All option depends on the notions of man; but the knowledge of the real nature of a thing does not depend on the notions of man, but only on the thing itself. For to think with regard to a post, this is a post or a man, or something clse,' is not knowledge of truth; the two ideas, “it is a man or something else,' being false, and only the third idea, 'it
connection (vâkya), &c., being the means of proof made use of in the Parva Minâmsa.
· The so-called sâkshâtkâra of Brahman. The &c. comprises inference and so on.
Digitized by
Digized by Google
