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* THE REVEALED WORD."
1095
Arster True; but it was discussed there for the purpose of pointing out the defects in the Subject, while on the present occasion it is disCunod for the purpose of pointing out the defects in the Corroborative Instance. This is the difference.
If, on the other hand, non-eternality that is mount is not in the form of 'absolute Destruction', but in the form of appearance and disappear. ance', then the answer in- I it is otherwise ',-1.. if non-etornality' is something other than * Absolute Destruction'.
For you'-' there is absonce of Probandurn-this has to be construed hiere also i.c. in the Instance. As you, Buddhists do not admit of Destrue. tion with a residue-as the Sankhyas do. Hence under your view, the Instance cited would be devoid of the Probandum.
This is the way in which the arguments in support of the non-eternality of Words have to be refuted, which has been expounded for the learned ; other arguments may also be put forward by intelligent people themselves. -(2335)
The Mimiimsalca next sets forth these objections of tho opponent against his doctrines :
TEXTS (2336-2338).
" (SAYS THE OPPONENT]—THOUGH THE WORD, THE MEANING AND THE
CONNECTION BETWEEN THEM HAVE BEEN PROVED TO BE ETERNAL, YET SO FAR AS THE VALIDITY (RELIABILITY) OF THE MEANING OF THE SENTENCE IS CONCERNED, THAT CANNOT BE ADMITTED.-(Shlokavārtika-ON SENTENCE-1).- IT MAY BE THAT THE MEANING OY SENTENCES HAS BEEN ASSUMED BY THE MIMAMSAKAS, WITHOUT ANY BASIS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONVENTIONS OF MEN,JUST AS IN THE CASE OF SUCH TECHNICAL TERMS As guna, vrddhi AND THE LIKE.-FURTHER, BEING IN THE FORM OF A COMPILATION, THE VEDA MUST BE REGARDED AS A HUMAN PRODUCTION, LIKE A BOOK OF STORIES. AND YET THERE IS NO RELIABLE PERSON (KNOWN, WHO COULD BE THE AUTHOR OF THE VEDA); THE VEDA THEREFORE MUST BE REGARDED AS unreliable." See Shlokavdrtika-ON SENTENCE 108-110].—(2336-2338)
COMMENTARY.
The meaning of sentence consists in the Injunction or Prohibition of particular acts as associated with particular moans of accomplishment; horoin too lies the validity or efficiency of the Vedic Injunction as a 'Means of Right Cognition'; it does not rest in what is expressed by words, Con. sequently when the validity or authority or reliability of the Veda has to be proved, -what has been established regarding the eternality of the Word, its meaning and the connection of these, is of no use in the matter at issue.
