Jain Journal 1977 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 20

Omniscient Beings HARISATYA BHATTACHARYYA
(from the previous issue )
The Advaita
The Stage Penultimate to Liberation and Omniscience: Vedānta View
Omniscience is impossible in both a literated and an unliberated soul, according to the absolute monist school of the Vedanta philosophy. But it is possible in a highly developed sage. It is said that a Naiyayika, in order to test the profoundness of Sankara's knowledge, once asked him to explain the difference between the conceptions of liberation, of the Nyaya and the Vaisesika schools. The questioning Naiyayika was a very conceited person and so addressed Sankara as follows:
vada sarvaciccet no cet pratijñam tyaja sarvavittve
---Samkşepa-Sankara-Vijayah
If you are omniscient, answer the question; if not, give up your contention about omniscience.
From the above, it is apparent that according to the thinkers of the Advaita school, omniscience is not impossible. Sankara has said that to the nature of a liberated soul or Brahman, omniscience, omnipotence etc: (sarvajñatvam sarveśvaratvanca) are not to be attributed.
na caitanyavat svarūpatva sambhavah
-Vedānta-Sūtra-bhāşye, 4-4-6
But he admits that supernaturalities like omniscience, etc. are possible in a determined (saguna) soul, in a certain stage of its development.
vidyamānamevedam samkirtate
saguņāvasthāyāmaišvaryam bhumā vidyāstutaye
-Vedanta-Sutra-bhāşye, 4-4-11
In other words, Sankara's opinion is that by worshipping the 'saguna Brahma the worshipper while attaining his likeness etc.