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EXAMINATION OF THE IMPORT OF WORDS.
495
* negation of the Horse, ete.' as forming the Import of such words as the
variegated cow' and the like.--Why not -Because in that case the Import would not be universal ;-that is, if it were so admitted, then, the Universal could never form the Import of the word; as it would have no connection with the word. Because it is so, therefore there can be no common entity in the shape of the negation of the Horse, etc.'; consequently the conclusion must be that the idea of Cow' is based upon that character which resides completely in each one of the members of the same class—the variegated and other cows; and this can be only the Universal Cow':-I you speak of this same as the negation of the non-cow', then the difference is only in name and your proposition thus is open to the charge of being *superfluous':-(917-918)
The following Text takes up the second alternative (mentioned under Text 915)—that the 'A poha' is of the nature of the negation of what is possible':
TEXT (919).
"IF THE IMPORT OF WORDS BE ASSUMED TO BE OF THE NATURE OF MERE NEGATION, THEN IT WOULD ONLY BE ANOTHER KIND OF 'VOID SPOKEN OF BY MEANS OF THE NEGATIVE WORD."
-(919)
COMMENTARY. Spoken of by means of the negative word' the Negative Wurd' is the word expressive of the negation in the form of the negation of the noncow'; and what would be denoted by this word would only be the. Void, the absence of the external world; since the form of the entity' would be denied.
Another kind'; this. Void' you (Buddhist) had postulated, and we had rejected under the chapter on Idealism. (Vijñänavāra of the Shlokarartika); and on the present occasion of examining the nature of the Import of Words, the same 'Void' is again put forward under the garb of ' Apoha' which denies the object whose existence is vouched for by experience.-(919)
"Where is the harm if that is so ?” Answer:
TEXT (920).
“IN THAT VOID THERE WOULD BE AN APPREHENSION OF THE CHARACTER OF THE cognitions THEMSELVES OF THE HORSE AND OTHER
THINGS; AND IN THAT CASE IT WOULD BE USELESS TO POSIT THE ' Apoha (NEGATION) OF OTHERS' AS THE
IMPORT OF WORDS." [Ibid. 371-(920)
COMMENTARY If the 'Void' is what is denoted, then it comes to this that in all Verbal Cognitions what is comprehended is only the factor of Cognition itself :
