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“THE REVEALED WORD."
1049
The following Text anticipates and answers the objection that the Corroborative Instance cited (of Devadatta) is not quite relevant :
TEXT (2229)
"IF IT BE ARGUED THAT—' (IN THE CASE OF Devadatta) THE IDEA OF
HIS BEING one IS NOT INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE FACT OF HIS BEING SEEN AT SEVERAL TIMES), BECAUSE THERE IS SUCCESSION (IN THE SEVERAL COGNITIONS OF HIS PRESENCE) ', -THEN (IN THE CASE OF WORD-SOUND ALSO) PLEASE SEE THAT THERE IS NO INCOMPATIBILITY ; ALSO BECAUSE THE SOUND IS ALL-PERVADING. IN FACT, THE PROPERTY THAT EXPLAINS A PERCEPTIBLE FACT MAY BE ACCEPTED AS BELONGING TO ALL THINGS.”—Shlokavārtika-ETERNALITY OF WORDS, 200-201).—(2229)
COMMENTARY.
The argument of the Opponent is as follows:- The fact that, even though Devadatta is seen in different places and at different times, he is not regarded as several, what makes this not-incompatible is the fact that the repeated seeings of Devadatta occur in succession, one after the other, and not simultaneously; there is no such reason in the case of Sound. Hence there is difference between the case in dispute and the case cited as an example'.
In answer to this, the Mimämsaka points out that in the case of Sound also there is a reason whereby there can be no incompatibility : Please see, etc. etc. the construction is that Please see that there is no incompatibility, because Sound is all-pervading'.
What the particle 'api', 'also ', indicates is the reason mentioned before because the articulations do not fill up the intervening space'.
Question: Why do you accept the all-pervading character of the Word - Sound?
Answer: In fact, the property, etc. etc.'-For the purpose of explaining the idea of the same Sound being heard at several places and times,whatever property is found necessary is admitted through Presumption based upon the fact that a well-known fact cannot be otherwise explained ; in the present instance, if the Sound did not possess all-pervadingness, its being heard at several places and times would not be possible ; hence on the ground of this Presumption, Sound is regarded as eternal and all-pervading.-(2229)
The Mimämsaka next proceeds to show that the Reason that because Sound is cognised as having diverse characters, it must be diverse' is also Inconclusive', 'not true':