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“THE REVEALED WORD."
997
TEXTS (2100-2101).
“WHEN A PROOF IS ADDUCED IN SUPPORT OF THE affirmative VIEW, IF THAT IS REFUTED, THE negative VIEW (TO THE CONTRARY) BECOMES RIGHTLY PROVED BY ITSELF. THUS IT IS THAT, WHEN THE OTHER PARTY ADDUCE PROOFS IN SUPPORT OF THE TWO ENDS OF THE VEDA, THE UPHOLDERS OF THE VEDA HAVE THEIR PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE REFUTA
TION OF THOSE PROOFS."-(2100-2101)
COMMENTARY.
Affirmative view '--that the Veda is the work of an Author; and the denial of that is the 'Negative view'. These two views are so related that the truth of the one involves the falsity of the other and vice versa ;-hence the denial of one is concomitant with the affirmation of the other; so that the Negative view becomes proved by itself. For instance, for the purpose of proving the 'two ends'-beginning and end-of the Veda, the Buddhists adduce certain proofs,-the mere refutation of these proofs proves the contrary view that the Veda has no beginning or end, and as such, is not the work of an Author; and when this has become proved, the Upholders of the Veda become satisfied on the accomplishment of what is desired by them.-(2100-2101)
Objection : Even when the said proofs have been refuted, it is necessary to put forth a further effort to prove the positive fact of the Veda being eternal; under the circumstances, how can the Upholders of the Veda be satisfied, until they have actually proved the Eternality of the Veda ?
The answer to this (from the Mināmsaka) is as follows:
TEXT (2102). " AS REGARDS THE POSITIVE FACT OF THE Eternality of the Veda, it BECOMES ESTABLISHED FOR US ON THE REJECTION OF THE TWO ENDS' (OF THE VEDA), EVEN THOUGH WE DO NOT ADDUCE PROOFS IN SUPPORT OF THE SAID
Eternality."-(2102)
COMMENTARY.
The two ends'-.e. the prooi adduced in proof of the idea of the Veda having a beginning and end.-(2102)
How the rejection of the two ends' automatically proves Eternality is explained in the following:
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