The Tattvasangraha [with commentary]

by Ganganatha Jha | 1937 | 699,812 words | ISBN-10: 8120800583 | ISBN-13: 9788120800588

This page contains verse 2339-2340 of the 8th-century Tattvasangraha (English translation) by Shantarakshita, including the commentary (Panjika) by Kamalashila: dealing with Indian philosophy from a Buddhist and non-Buddhist perspective. The Tattvasangraha (Tattvasamgraha) consists of 3646 Sanskrit verses; this is verse 2339-2340.

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

सम्बन्धाकरणन्यायाद्वक्तव्या वाक्यनित्यता ।
दृष्टार्थव्यवहारत्वाद्वृद्ध्यादौ सम्भवेदपि ॥ २३३९ ॥
मतिः सामयिकी वेदे न त्वेषा युज्यते यतः ।
स्वर्गयागादिसम्बन्धः केन दृष्टो ह्यतीन्द्रियः ॥ २३४० ॥

sambandhākaraṇanyāyādvaktavyā vākyanityatā |
dṛṣṭārthavyavahāratvādvṛddhyādau sambhavedapi || 2339 ||
matiḥ sāmayikī vede na tveṣā yujyate yataḥ |
svargayāgādisambandhaḥ kena dṛṣṭo hyatīndriyaḥ || 2340 ||

“The eternality of the sentence is to be asserted in the same manner in which the eternality of the connection (between word and meaning) has been asserted.—[Ślokavārtika—on sentence, 365].—Even though, in the case of the technical words like ‘vṛddhi’, what has been asserted may be possible because these deal with perceptible things; in regard to the Veda however, the idea of ‘conventionality’ is not possible; because by whom has the connection between heaven and the sacrifices (spoken of in the Veda)—which is beyond the reach of the senses,—been perceived?”—(2339-2340)

 

Kamalaśīla’s commentary (tattvasaṃgrahapañjikā):

The reasoning that has been put forward above in support of the view that the Connection between the Word and its Meaning cannot be artificial,—under the Text 2257,—on the basis of that same reasoning the eternality of the Vedic Sentence also may be asserted.

The Mīmāṃsaka points out the ‘inconclusive’ character of the reasoning put forward by the Opponent, under Text 2337—in the words—‘Because these deal, etc. etc.’—In the case of the Sūtras like ‘adeṅguṇaḥ’, as they deal with things that are perceptible, it is possible that the ideas conveyed may be based upon Convention;—this however is not possible in the case of the Veda; because Heaven and such things—which are spoken of in the Veda,—are beyond the reach of the senses, and hence no Convention could be made (by men) regarding them.—(2339-2340)

Says the Opponent—If that is so, then the Veda may be meaningless. The answer to this is as follows:—[see verses 2341-2342 next]

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