________________
210
INDIAN LOGIC
II
What does Gautama, the author of the Nyayasutra, mean by. 'Isvara'?
'Gautama makes only a casual mention of God. and some have doubted whether the Nyaya was originally theistic."
In Gautama's Nyayasūtras, we find three aphorisms dealing with Isvara. These three aphorisms explain the function of Isvara, regarding actions and their fruits. First two aphorisms present the views of the opponents while the third one presents Gautama's own view. Let us take them one by one, translate and explain them fully, taking the words in their natural meaning and disregarding the interpretations of the
commentators.
Isvaraḥ kāraṇam puruṣakarmaphalyadarsanät | (4.1.19)
'Because we see the actions of living beings, bearing no fruits, it is Isvara that is to be regarded as the cause of fruits".
The cause of fruits is not our actions, but Isvara. There is no necessary cause-effect relation between actions and fruits. Fruits do not depend on actions performed by living beings, but they depend on the will of Isvara. We should maintain this because we see that a human being does not attain fruits even though he performs respective actions. It is Isvara only who puts us in different situations and circumstances, and gives us pleasures and pains, keeps us bound or makes us free. These are not the fruits of our actions, but they are, results of Isvara's will. Our actions have nothing to do with fruits we experience. The theory of Moral Causation (Karma siddhanta) is wrong and unfounded. Baliyasi kevalam Isvarecchā.
Na, puruṣakarmābhave phaläniṣpatteḥ. | (4.1.20)
'No, [Isvara is not the cause of fruits], because if a living being does not perform actions, it cannot attain fruits".
The principle enunciated in the preceding aphorism is wrong. because if the cause of fruits were not actions, but Isvara, then we should attain fruits without performing actions. We never reach the destination, if we do not walk. We are not cured of the disease if we do not take medicine. So fruits depend on actions and not on Isvara. There is no need of Isvara. Actions done, fruits attained. If a seed of a banyan tree comes in contact of the soil, water, etc.,it will definitely grow into a banyan tree; no agent is required. Depending on the cause,
