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I. 36-40 ]
[ 43
All the rest are got by the process of permutation and combination. By understanding, therefore, the nature of these three, we get a clear idea of the nature of the sevenfold system of logic. The first mode predicates the eternal nature of the soul, while the second negatives this nature of the soul. These two statements can be considered as true only when they are not mutually contradictory. The eternal nature of the soul is evident from the continued (unbroken) consciousness of the past and future. The changeability of the soul is also a patent fact if we look at the various: modifications of it under different conditions. Both these statements, therefore, are true only when we regard the eternal nature of the soul from the standpoint of Reality and accept its everchanging nature from the standpoint of Modifications. Both these statements about the soul, though apparently contradictory to each other are not in the least ambiguous or doubtful. For, these statements are born of different standpoints and therefore not essentially contradictory to each other. To indicate this difference of standpoint the words from a particular standpoint' (Apekṣā-viseṣa) are used at the beginning of the sentence in every mode (Bhanga) and the word 'only" is used at the end of the sentence of every mode.
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CHAPTER I
Thus the sentence of the first mode would run thus:From a particular standpoint the soul is only eternal. The sentences of the rest of the modes should be similarly framed. Usually the word Kathañcit or Syat is used in place of the Samskrita word Apekṣa-viṣeśa. Thus it is said ' आत्मा कथंचिन्नित्य एव or श्रात्मा स्यान्नित्य एव . '
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