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RĀVAŅA'S EXPEDITION OF CONQUEST 145 truth: Pleased by the truth, gods attend him,' and so his strong reputation spread over the world. Kings, terrified by his reputation, submitted to him. . For reputation, whether true or false, conquers men.
Dispute over meaning of aja (418-454) One day I went there and saw Parvata commenting on the Rgveda to intelligent pupils. He explained the phrase, 'Sacrifice must be made with aja(s),' as meaning with 'meşa (s).' 117 I said to him, ‘Brother, what are you saying by mistake? Aja is so-called because three-year old rice does not reproduce. Why have you forgotten that it was so explained by our guru?'
Thien Parvataka said, “The father did not say that. Moreover, aja(s) were said to be meşa(s) and are called the same in the lexicons.'
I said : 'The determination of the meaning of words is primary and secondary. In this case the guru taught the secondary. The guru is a teacher of dharma alone; and sacred knowledge consists of dharma alone. Do not commit a sin by falsifying both, friend.' '
Parvata replied scornfully: The guru said aja(s) meant 'meşa(s).' Do you acquire dharma by transgression of the meaning of words taught by the guru? False and arrogant speech on the part of men should not exist from fear of punishment. Let us make a wager of cutting out the tongue on the confirmation of our own opinion. King Vasu, the fellow-student of us both, can be the authority.' I agreed to that, for there is no fear on the part of those speaking the truth. Secretly Parvata's mother, though occupied with household matters, said to him: 'I heard your father say, "Aja means three-year old rice." That
117 419. It is difficult to see why Hem. uses the word meșa here, which means 'ram' and only ‘ram.' Aja can mean either 'goat' or 'ram.' But it usually means 'goat' and certainly in the Brāhmanic sacrifices, it was a goat, chāga, and not a sheep. See Mimańsādarśana with Sabara's bhāşya, 6. 8. 10.
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