________________
EXAMINATION OF THE DOCTRINE OF 'SELF-SUFFICIENT VALIDITY'. 1371
It has been argued under Text 2904, that " when the Cognition brought about by any one sentence is the same at all times and places, and in all men, then no other basis nood be sought for its validity”.
The answer to this is as follows:
TEXTS (3086-3087).
AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE COGNITION BROUGHT ABOUT BY ANY ONE SENTENCE IS NEVER YOUND TO BE THE SAME AT ALL TIMES AND PLACES, AND IN ALL MEN; AS IN ALL CASES THERE ARISES DOUBT. IT IS TRUE THAT THE SAME WORDS-HEAVEN IS ATTAINED BY THE PERFORMANCE OF Agnihotra AND OTHER RITES"
-ARE HEARD BY ALL MEN ; BUT IT IS DEVOID OF ALL ELEMENTS OF CERTAINTY, RESEMBLING THE
MERE CROAKING OF FROGS.-(3086-3087)
COMMENTARY.
This shows that the corroboration by facts cannot be admitted. Because when the Sentence-From the performance of Agnihotra, follows Heaven is heard, the intelligent man derives no certain Cognition from it; hence it cannot be admitted that it is the same at all times and places.-(3086-3087)
The following Text proceeds to show that the Cognition is not the same in all men :
TEXT (3088).
EVEN AMONG BRAHMANAS THERE IS DIFFERENCE OF OPINION IN REGARD TO HEAVEN' AND SUCH THINGS; HENCE THE COGNITION DERIVED FROM THE VEDA IS NOT FOUND TO BE THE
SAME IN ALL MEN.- (3088)
COMMENTARY. For instance, the author of the Nirukta and other authorities describe * Heaven' as the abode of Personalities superior to human beings,-- located in such places as the summit of Mount Mēru, the place affording superhuman pleasures,-full of numerous amenities':-while the Mimamsalas describe it as a particular form of happiness found among men'.
In regard to "Sacrifices' also, there is difference of opinion. For example, it is heard that in ancient times it was only animals made of flour that were sacrificed; while other wicked and cruel people have declared that it was the living animal that was sacrificed.-(3088)
It has been argued under Text 2905, that " when a firm conviction produced by a sentence is not found to be incompatible with the Cognitions
