Reality English Translation of Sarvarthasiddhi

Author(s): S A Jain
Publisher: Jwalamalini Trust Chennai

Page 72

44. THE VERBAL AND THE CONVENTIONAL STANDPOINTS
the seventh locative case, the second accusative case is used. Irregularity of person - Ehi manye rathena yāsyasi, na hi yāsyasi, yātaste pita. Here, the first person manye (I think) is used instead of the second person manyase (you think) and the second person yāsyasi (you will) instead of the first person yāsyāmi (I will).
Anomaly of time-Viśvadạşvā asya putro janitā.? Here, what is to happen in the future is spoken of as having happened. Irregularities in the use of prepositions-santişthate, pratişthate viramati, uparamati. Owing to the prepositional prefixes, the first two parasmaipada verbs take the ātmanepada endings, and the latter two parasmaipada endings. Though such usage prevails by convention or custom, yet the verbal viewpoint considers it improper, as such irregularities should not be mixed together. If this is opposed to what is universally current, let it be so. Here truth is investigated. Medical treatment (medicine) does not satisfy the whimsies of the patient.
As it consists of forsaking several meanings, it is called samabhirūdha. Since it gives up the several meanings and becomes current in one important sense, it is called conventional. For instance, the word 'gau' is used in several senses such as speech. Still by convention it has come to denote the cow. Or words are employed in order to convey knowledge of the objects. That being so, from every word arises knowledge of one particular object. Hence it is useless to employ synonyms. If there is change in the word, there must be change in the meaning also. Therefore, every change of word must be accompanied by a change of meaning. Thus, as it abandons several meanings, it is called samabhirūdha naya. For instance,
1 According to the forms of the verbs used, the meaning is, Come, I think that you will go by car, but you will not go. Your father is gone by car.' But the meaning intended is, Come, you think that I will go by car, but I will not go. Your father is gone by car. Here instead of the second person silanyase, the first person munye is used. And instead of the first person yāsyämi the second person yasyasi is used. Hence these are irregularities of person.
% Irregularity of timc: 'A son who has seen the world will be born to him.' Here, what will take place in the future (i. e, secing the world) is spoken of as having taken place in the past.