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"THE REVEALED WORD."
1069
TEXT (2273).
" As A MATTER OF FACT, FOR ALL PERSONS IGNORANT (OF THE CONNECTION), THE CONNECTION BECOMES KNOWN THROUGH LONG-CONTINUED TRADITION, AND THERE HAS BEEN NO BEGINNING OF
THE CONNECTION."-(2273)
COMMENTARY.
The argument may be formulated as follows:-The Connection between the Word and its meaning must be regarded as preceded by the usage of elderly people,-because it is a Connection-like Connections of the present time, the Connection under dispute is also a Connection; hence this is a Reason based upon the nature of things.-(2273)
Having thus established the conclusion that it is not possible for the Convention to be set up with regard to each mortal being the first alternative suggested in Text 2254), the Mimamsaka proceeds to reject the other nlternative (suggested thero) that it is set up in reference to each utterance.
TEXTS (2274-2277).
" CONVENTION IN REGARD TO EACH UTTERANCE CANNOT BE MADE BY
USAGE.-AT THE TIME OF THE BEGINNING OF THE CREATION, THERE COULD NOT BE ANY SUCH ACTION; AND NO SUCH TIME IS ADMITTED BY US."-[Shlokavārtika-Sambandhāksepaparihara, 42).-THE VIEW HELD BY US IS THAT THE WORLD WAS NEVER OTHERWISE THAN WHAT IT IS NOW.-AS FOR THE UNIVERSAL DISSOLUTION IT CANNOT BE KNOWN THAT THERE CAN BE ANY SUCH IN REALITY. IN FACT DISSOLUTION MAY BE A NAME FOR THE Night ONLY, WHEN THERE IS cessation of all activity; THE Day IN THAT CASE WOULD BE CREATION, BECAUSE ALL SORTS OF ACTIVITY PROCEED AT THAT TIME. OR DISSOLUTION' MAY BE THERE IN THE FORM OF THE Destruction of particular countries OR DESTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR TAMILIES. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE FOR ANY SUCH Dissolution AS CONSISTS IN THE DESTRUCTION OF ALL THINGS."-(2274-2277)
COMMENTARY.
By usage-i.e. through the setting up of usage; what is meant is that, otherwise, there could be no setting up of the usage prior to the setting up of the Connection.
It has been asserted that the Connection could have been set up either at the beginning of Creation or it might be set up in the present. This is rebutted by the words At the time, etc. etc. - Such time'-.e. the time of the dissolution of the world, when there would be no connection between words and meanings.
