Siddhanta Sangraha of Sri Sailacharya
by E. Sowmya Narayanan | 2008 | 30,562 words
Siddhanta Sangraha Chapter 35 (English translation), entitled “the acceptance of potency” as included in the critical edition and study. The Siddhanta Samgraha is a Sanskrit philosophical text dealing with Vishishtadvaita in five hundred Sanskrit verses. It was written by Shri Shailacarya (18th century) and closely follows the philosophy of Vedanta Deshika (13th century).
Chapter 35 - The Acceptance of Potency
365. According to our system, the compounds have the potency in conveying the sense. The words of injunction (ling) denote the kṛtisādhyatva as explained in grammar.
366. According to us, the grammar is the valid source to understand that the particular word has a potency to express a particular meaning. In scriptures the context is the deciding factor to determine the potency of an expression.
367. When there is no contradiction between the verbal testimony and reasoning, the potency of the word is decided by the authority of dictionary (kośa). The authority of the dictionary is accepted when there is no objection of the validity of scriptures and reasoning. The potency of the word can be decided by the etymological explanations and also through the words of the well known persons.[1]
368. The method of śābdabodha is that all the adjectival expressions are used in the Nominative case. This method is explained by Śrī Vedānta Deśika in his Nyāya Vistara.[2]
369. The verbal testimony is classified as two fold, namely, laukika and alaukika. The smṛtis and practices (śīla) come under the authority of Veda are accepted as alaukika.
370. As the Vedas are impersonal (apauruṣeya) their validity is not questioned. When there is a contradiction between the statements of śruti and smṛti, only the statement of śruti is valid, as it doesn't expect any other evidence or source. The words of the Sages namely, smṛti, is only valid when there is no contradiction with śruti, as it expects the scriptural statements.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Nyāya Siddhānta Muktāvali.
[2]:
Perhaps this is Nyāyapariśuddhi of Śrī Vedānta Deśika.
Conclusion:
This concludes The Acceptance of Potency according to Vishishtadvaita philosophy explained by Shri Shailacarya. This book follows the model of Vedanta Deshika although the Vishishta Advaita school was originally expounded by Shri Ramanuja. Vishishta-Advaita is one of the various sub-schools of Vedanta which itself represents one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu Philosophy. They highlight the importance of the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and the Brahma Sutras.