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(E) THE ADYAITA' DOCTRINE OF TER SOUL.
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TEXT (332)
COGNITION OR CONSCIOUSNESS IS NEVER APPREHENDED AS ANYTHING DISTINCT FROM THE COGNITIONS OF COLOUR AND OTHER THINGS ; AND INASMUCH AS THESE LATTER UNDERGO VARIATIONS EVERY MOMENT, WHAT REMAINS THERE THAT COULD
BE LASTINO (PERMANENT, ETERNAL)-(332)
COMMENTARY.
As a matter of fact, apart from the Cognitions of Colour etc., which appear one after the other, we do not apprehend any lasting Consciousness, eternal and one,—whereby it could be held to be known through Perception. Then, inasmuch as it is well known that the Cognitions of Colour and other tluings are apprehended one after the other, and are destroyed every moment -it has to be explained what remains there that is non-different from those Cognitions ? Thus, inasmuch as there is no apprehension of any such Cognition, which would be apprehended if it were there, it cannot but be regarded as non-existent'. This is what the Text means.
Nor can it be held that the said Eternal Cognition is known through Inference. Becauso such an Inference would be based either upon the nature of the Cognition itself, or upon that of its effects. It cannot be the formor, as there is nothing which can prove that such is the nature of the said Eternal Cognition; on the contrary, there is Perception itself which precludes any such notion.
Thus the doctrine that the world is the illusory modification of the Eternal Consciousness' is not right.--(332)
Then again, under this doctrine, the notions of Bondage and Liberation' are not possible. This is what is shown in the following
TEXT (333).
THERE CAN BE NO DISTINCTION IN COGNITION AS WRONG' AND 'RIGET -IT THE "SOUL CONSISTS OF A SINGLE (ETERNAL) COGNITION; HOW THIN CAN THERE BE ANY BONDAGE AND
LIBERATION' ?-(333)
COMMENTARY.
For one who holds the view that-Cognition is in perpetual flux, different evith different persons, undergoing variations in a series, the notion of
Bondage and Liberation is quite reasonable, as being due to the coming about of a series of cognitions, wrong and right; and through the practice of yoga, gradually purer and purer Cognitions coming about, the series of impure cognitions cease and the final Aim (of Liberation) is attained ; and thus the attempt at Liberation becomes fruitful.-For you, on the other hand,