Verse 2809

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

धर्मं प्रति न सिद्धाऽतश्चोदनानां प्रमाणता ।
स्वतोऽन्येभ्यश्च मन्देभ्यस्तदर्थानवधारणात् ॥ २८०९ ॥

dharmaṃ prati na siddhā'taścodanānāṃ pramāṇatā |
svato'nyebhyaśca mandebhyastadarthānavadhāraṇāt || 2809 ||

Thus, it has not been proved that the Vedic injunctions are the valid means of right knowledge of dharma; for the simple reason that its meaning cannot be ascertained by any one, either by himself or with the help of other dull-witted. persons.—(2809)

 

Kamalaśīla’s commentary (tattvasaṃgrahapañjikā):

It has been asserted by the Mimāṃsaka at the very outset, that—“people, seeking for knowledge of Dharma and Adharma, must have recourse to the Veda, as the only Means of Right Knowledge”.

The answer to this is as follows:—[see verse 2809 above]

‘Dharma’ has been mentioned by way of illustration; it includes ‘Adharma’ also.—(2809)

Question:—“If that is so, then how can any definite idea be obtained regarding Dharma and other things?”

Answer:—[see verse 2810 next]