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114
TATTVĀRTHA SŪTRA
door attitude—that is, by a narrowness of the outlook and a sectarian befuddlement—then the aim set forth remains altogether unrealized. Those who get afraid by a mere idea of comparative study—they are either doubtful as to the authoritativeness or strength of their position, or they lack energy to face a rival position, or they hesitate to accept a true position after having given up a false one, or they are not possessed of the intellectual power and patience adequate for vindicating even a true position of theirs. The very meaning of knowledge is that one broadens one's spiritual vision by overcoming narrowmindedness, restrictions and obstacles and delves deep into what is true. That is why I am below placing forth before teachers a technique of study. They are not to treat it as the last word but to introduce in it whatever improvement is suggested by their own experience; really, it is they who are to get themselves readied-by employing as instrument the students seeking instruction from them.
(1) First take up an original aphorism and assign to it whatever meaning is easily possible.
(2) Of the two commentaries the bhāsya and Sarvārthasiddhi treat one as main, teach it first and the other immediately afterwards.
In connection with this teaching the following particular points must be brought to the notice of students :
(a) What topics are similarly treated in the bhāsya and Sarvārthasiddhi ? And in spite of this similarity what difference has arisen there as to language and the style of exposition ?
(b) What topics are present in one but not in the other or are present in the latter in an altered form? What topics of one are left out in the other and what topics are newly introduced in the latter ? How to account for this state of affairs ?
(c) When in the line with the just offered suggestions both the bhāsya and Sarvārthasiddhi have been analyzed out, then the specially competent students should be inspired to look for points of comparison with the other systems of Indian philosophy-in
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