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236
TATTVASANGRAHA : CHAPTER VIII.
thing could never exist. Nor can it be present before the thing has been produced, as what has not been born cannot be destroyed; .g. the son of the Barren Woman' and such non-entities are not destroyed while unborn.
-Even when coming after the thing has come into existence, it cannot come very long after it; because all things (ex hypothesi) being destroyed at the third moment (of existence), there cannot be another destruction very long aiterwards, as is found in the case of Fire that has become reduced to ashes. The destruction of the thing, therefore, must come immediately after it has come into existence, i.e. at the second moment. Thus it is established that, as it has the time of its corning definitely fixed, the Destruction must have a Cause, just as the sprout has as it has the time, etc. etc.; i.e. because it appears only occasionally. The invariable concomitance of this reason is next shown- If it were independent etc. etc.'-if it were independent of all Cause, then its occasional character could not be possible ; as in that case its existence would be there at all times. Hence, from its occasional character, it is deduced that it must have a Cause.-(367-368)
Another reason for the same conclusion is set forth in the following
TEXT (369)
** As IT COMES IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE THING, THE DESTRUOTION
MUST HAVE A CAUSE ; ALSO BECAUSE, NOT HAVING BEEN IN EXISTENCE, IT COMES INTO EXISTENCE, JUST LIKE
THE FOLLOWING MOMENT."-(369)
COMMENTARY.
Thus three reasons liave been stated : Destruction must have a Cause, (a) because it is occasional, (3) because it comes immediately after the thing, as admitted by the Bauddhas, and (c) because not having been in existence, it comes into existence, like the following Moment. The Hare's Horn' and such other non-entities serve as Corroborative Instances per dissimilarity. - (369)
The author next states the reasons adduced by Uddyotakara (in Nyayavärtika on 3.2.14, page 415, Bib. Indica, from where large portions of the Commentary on this Text are bodily quoted]
