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EXAMINATION OF THE DOCTRINE OF 'SELF-SUFFICIENT VALIDITY'. 1383
that it does not exist; because it often happens that a thing, even though existent, is not seen; specially as it is not known that there is invariable concomitance between 'non-existence and non-perception'.-(3118)
Then again, the validity of the Veda being self-sufficient, it always brings about certainty regarding its subject matter; so that there can be no delusion regarding it ;-and as it is eternal, there is no likelihood of its essential nature being altered ;-thus in neither of the two ways can there be any mutilation of the Veda,in accordance with your view. Under the circumstances, all the attempt that has been made by Vedic Scholars to preserve the text of the Veda has been superfluous.
This is what is pointed out in the following
TEXTS (3119-3122).
UNDER THE VIEW THAT THE VALIDITY OF COGNITIONS IS INHERENT IN
THEM, CERTAINTY OF CONVICTION MUST BE REGARDED AS BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE VEDA by itself, IN REGARD TO ITS OWN FORM (TEXT); HENCE THERE CAN BE NO POSSIBILITY OF DELUSION IN RESPECT TO THAT.-THUS, THERE BEING NO ROOM FOR IGNORANCE, OR DOUBT, OR MISCONCEPTION,--EVEN THE INFANT OF THE BRAUMAŅA SHOULD NOT REQUIRE ANY TEACHING. JUST AS THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE THING WHOSE ROOT CAUSE) IS UNKNOWN, HOW COULD THERE BE ANY DESTRUCTION (MUTILATION) OF WHAT IS ETERNAL AND SUPERIOR EVEN TO THE DIAMOND (IN ITS INDESTRUCTIBILITY) ?-IF IT BE SAID THAT " THERE MAY BE DESTRUCTION IN THE SHAPE OF PERVERSION OF THE MANIFESTATION ”,THEN THE ANSWER IS THAT THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH manifestation OF WHAT IS ETERNAL HAS BEEN ALREADY REJECTED.-HENCE IF WISE PEOPLE SEEK TO PRESERVE THE VEDIC TEXT, THE ATTEMPT IS ENTIRELY SUPERFLUOUS.-(3119-3122)
COMMENTARY.
Infant of a Brahmana'-a Brahmana-child.
Thus far it has been shown that the destruction (or mutilation) of the Veda is not possible, if it is self-sufficient in its validity. The author now proceeds to show that it is not possible, on account of its eternality also; to this end, he puts the question- How could there be, etc. etc. ?'
If it is urged, etc. etc. this is to be construed with destruction of the preceding sentence.
Sa'-manifestation. * Asya'-of the Veda.-(3119-3122)
The following Text sums up the whole section :
