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EXAMINATION OF THE 'PERSON OF SUPER-NORMAL VISION'. 1399
TEXTS (3142-3144).
" PERCEPTION AND OTHER MEANS OF COGNITION REGARDING THE
OMNISOIENT PERSON HAVING BEEN DISCARDED, IT WOULD FOLLOW THAT MORALITY AND IMMORALITY ARE COGNISABLE THROUGH SCRIPTURE (RELIABLE WORD) ONLY.-THIS ALONE BEING SUFFICIENT TO ESTABLISH THE DOCTRINE OY THE Mimāmsaka, IY AN EFFORT IS MADE TO REFUTE THE EXISTENCE OF THE OMNISCIENT PERSON, IT IS LIKE AN ATTEMPT TO KILL WHAT IS ALREADY DEAD. THE “ PERSON COGNISANT OF Dharma' HAVING BEEN REJECTED, ON THE GROUND OF HIS VERY ROOT BRING CUT OFF,- IF PEOPLE GO ON ASSERTING THE EXISTENCE OF OMNISCIENT PERSONS, IT IS LIKE THE THUMPING OF HUSKS.”—(3142-3144)
COMMENTARY.
* Kevalāgama, etc. etc.'i.e. being cognisable through the reliable Word only. Though the term agama' connotes the reliable word in general, yet, here, by implication, it should be taken as standing for that Word (or Scripture) which does not emanate from Man.
This alone, etc. etc.'_That is, only by the rejection of the Person cognisant of Dharma, the Mimämsaka's doctrine, that Dharma is that beneficial thing which is indicated by the Veda', becomes established; oven so, if we make further repeated efforts—as shown later on-for rejecting the Omniscient Person, it is useless; the desired result having been already achieved, such further Effort is like the killing of what is already dead.
The Omniscient Person having been rejected, if the Buddhists still make attempts to prove his existence, that also, as not bringing about the desired result, is like the thumping of husks, by the person soeking for Rice; involving needless labour. Just as in the case cited, after the rice has been removed, if the man seeking for rice proceeds to thump the husks, it is entirely useless, so also, when the main factor of the Person cognisant of Dharma, etc. has been set aside, if the Buddhist proceeds to prove the existence of the Person knowing all the little details that go to make up the world, which is of no use in regard to the main factor,--such attempt is entirely useless. Herein lies the similarity to the thumping of husks.
On account of their very root having been cut off',- i.e. of whom the main point, regarding the knowledge of Dharma and Adharma, has been refuted.(3142-3144)
The following Text shows that the said attempt of the Buddhist to prove the Omniscient Person is not only futile, it also involves something undesirable for him :
