Brahma-Sūtra 2.2.30

English of translation of Brahmasutra 2.2.30 by Roma Bose:

“The existence (of past impressions) not (possible), on account of non-perception.”

Nimbārka’s commentary (Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha):

Moreover, the “existence” of past impressions is admitted by you in order that there may be variety in knowledge; this is not possible, since according to your view, external objects are not perceived.

Śrīnivāsa’s commentary (Vedānta-kaustubha)

Moreover, if knowledge be without a basis, then its varieties, such as the knowledge of a pot, the knowledge of blue, the knowledge of yellow and so on, are not possible. If it be said that past impressions are the cause of the variety of knowledge,—(we reply): “the existence” of past impressions is not possible on your view. Why? “On account of non-perception”, i.e. because of the non-perception of the cause of past impressions, or, because no such cause is possible on your view. The direct perception of external objects is the cause of past impressions, and that is not possible in your case, owing to your non-admission of external objects.

Comparative views of Rāmānuja and Śrīkaṇṭha:

This is sūtra 29 in their commentaries. Interpretation slightly different, viz. “The existence (of cognition devoid of corresponding things) is not (possible), because of non-perception”.^[1]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Śrī-bhāṣya (Madras edition) 2.2.29, p. 102, Part 2; Brahma-sūtras (Śrīkaṇṭha’s commentary) 2.2.29, pp. 97-98, Parts 7 and 8.