Verse 3213-3214

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

सर्वज्ञज्ञापनात्तस्य वरं धर्मावबोधनम् ।
वेदबोधितसर्वज्ञज्ञानाद्धर्मात्तिरोहितात् ॥ ३२१३ ॥
अतिरोहितधर्मादिज्ञानमेव विशेष्यते ।
एवमागमगम्यत्वं न सर्वज्ञस्य लभ्यते ॥ ३२१४ ॥

sarvajñajñāpanāttasya varaṃ dharmāvabodhanam |
vedabodhitasarvajñajñānāddharmāttirohitāt || 3213 ||
atirohitadharmādijñānameva viśeṣyate |
evamāgamagamyatvaṃ na sarvajñasya labhyate || 3214 ||

“Rather than admit the idea of the scripture indicating the omniscient person, it is far better to accept the idea that it indicates dharma. Because the clear knowledge of dharma (directly from the Veda) is superior to the unclear knowledge derived indirectly through the knowledge of the omniscient person mentioned in the Veda.—Thus it cannot be maintained that the omniscient person is spoken of in the scriptures.”—(3213-3214)

 

Kamalaśīla’s commentary (tattvasaṃgrahapañjikā):

Rather than entertain the idea that the Eternal Scripture mentions the Omniscient Person, it is better to accept the idea that Dharma is taught by that Scripture.

Question:—In what way is it better?

Answer;—‘Because the clear knowledge, etc. etc.’—The knowledge of Dharma derived from the Veda is clear and direct; because the light emanating therefrom is equally available for ail things. On the other hand, the Dharma learnt through the knowledge of the Omniscient Person mentioned in the Scripture is indirect and indistinct; because the said Person has retired into Nirvāṇa and cannot be clearly perceptible. Even when He had not retired into Nirvāṇa, He would have no desires, and hence could not impart any teachings. Even if He did impart teachings, these could not be heard by all men at all times and places,—(3213-3214)