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EXAMINATION OF THE DOCTRINE OF 'SELF-SUFFICIENT VALIDITY'. 1321
It has been argued by the Mināmsaka, under 2932, that "the selfsufficient validity of cognitions having been accepted as a fact, the arguments that have been set forth are only for the purpose of refuting the denial of the same " -This cannot be right; because, under the circumstances, there could be no doubt regarding the validity; as has been explained.--The position now taken up is that it may be granted (for the sake of argument) that the arguments have been adduced for the purpose of removing the suspicion of invalidity ; but even so, that cannot be right, in accordance with your view.-This is what is pointed out in the following: -
TEXTS (2942-2943). YOUR VIEW IS THAT" IT IS ONLY IN THE SENTENCE IN WHICH THE NEGATIVE WORD IS FOUND THAT THERE IS DENIAL OF SOMETHING ELSE, AND IN ALL OTHER SENTENCES, IT IS THE POSITIVE DENOTATION ITSELF THAT IS APPREHENDED";-NOW IN YOUR ASSERTION (UNDER Text 2348) THAT" THE COGNITION PRODUCED BY THE VEDA IS VALID”-THE NEGATIVE WORD HAS NOT BEEN USED ; HENCE IT CANNOT MEAN the denial of invalidity.
—(2942-2943)
COMMENTARY The view of persons like you, who hold that the denotation of words is always positive, is as follows :-"It is only when the negative word is used in a sentence, that the denial of other things' is comprehended, --in all other cases it is only affirmation that is expressed ".-In the sentence em. bodying your argument-"The cognition produced by the Veda is valid, etc. etc.", the negative word has not been used; how then could it express the denial of invalidity ?-(2942-2943)
It has been argued by the Author himself (under Text 2928) How can there be Doubt and the rest, when the self-validity of the Cognition has become cognised ?'-The following Text proceeds to show what is meant by the term and the rest in that sentence :--
TEXT (2944). FURTHER, IF THE VALIDITY OF ALL COGNITIONS IS DULY RECOGNISED AS BEING INHERENT IN THEM BY THEMSELVES, THEN WHY IS THERE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION AMONG DISPUTANTS ?
-(2944)
COMMENTARY. If the validity of all cognitions were inherent in themselves, then there could not be a difference of opinion among the various parties, regarding this validity--(2944)
