Hermeneutics and Language in Purva Mimamsa. A Study in Sabara Bhashya. (O.gachter) (Delhi, 1990) (600dpi, Lossy)

HERMENEUTICS AND LANGUAGE IN PRVA MIMMS
HERMENEUTICS
AND
LANGUAGE
IN_
PURVA MIMAMS
A Study in Sahara Bhsya
OTHMAR GCHTER
MOTILAL BANARS1DASS PUBLISHERS PRIVATE LIMITEDDELHI
First Edition: Delhi, 198B Reprinted: Delhi, 1990
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FOREWORD "Heaven is happiness, and everyone seeks for happiness", says Sahara. Certainly, at all times, it lies at the root of man's effort to master life meaningfully. But is it an impelling force for life ? It is meaning that supports man, when happiness fails or is too remote from him. The desire for happiness indicates only that the source of meaning is the end. Sahara's concern for the relevance of meaning in life is obvious in his future-oriented insight into sruti and smrtL A critical investigation into his search for meaning does not suggest 'returning to the beginning', but involves 'turning to the future' which has left its impact on the past. Meanings appear and disappear, because man's urge to know what really is, brings into focus the validity of meaning. Meaning of the whole as present in Sacred Scriptures and accepted by people through centuries gives evidence that meanings have persisted. How do we arrive at their validity ? What is central in the search of understanding oral and written speech ? Early Prva Mimms points to hermeneutics and language. Why and how, for Sabara, hermeneutics and language form the basis for such a view is critically investigated in this study. In the introductory chapter hermeneutics and language in Prva Mimms are placed within a wider context. Sahara's view of reality (chap. II) and of language (chap. Ill, IV) are then investigated with strict textual reference to his Bhsya. Thus the foundation is laid for the consequences of understanding meaning and its validity. These consequences are worked out with regard to hermeneutics as grounded in the Bhsya itself (chap. V, VI). Early Prva Mimms shows in Sbara Bhsya, though not in a systematic treatment, how man participates in satyam (truth) through hermeneutics and language. Man's search for satyam is part of the vitality and authenticity of a meaningful life. It is hermeneutics and language, which provides a key in the search of meaning even today.
This book is a slightly revised form of my research submitted for the award of a Ph. D. in Philosophy at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. I wish to thank Prof. Dr. N. S. S. Raman for his constant readiness to supervise my research. I am greatly indebted to Dr. K. D. Tripathi, Reader of Sanskrit (Banaras Hindu University) who checked most of my English translations of the relevant Sanskrit texts, and to my friend, Dr. Jayendra Soni (Varanasi, Vienna) who checked the language of the original manuscript. Grateful acknowledgement is made to the Governments of India and Switzerland who supported the research with financial assistence under their Reciprocal Fellowship Scheme.
OTHMAR GCHTER
ABBREVIATIONS AAS nandsrama Sanskrit Series 97. FW Frauwallner E., Mimijisstrabhsyam I, 1. 1-5. ML s. Mimmsstra of Jaimini. RV Rgveda Samhit. 5. Bh. Sahara Bhsya. SV Slokavrttika of Kumrila Bhatta. VP Vkyapadiya of Bhartrhari.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Pages FOREWORD ABBREVIATIONS Chapters I. HERMENEUTICS AND LANGUAGE IN PRVA MIMMS : SBARA BHSYA SABARA'S VIEW OF REALITY 1. The drna or the Visible 2. The adrta or the Invisible i. svarga ii. devat iii. aprva 3. Assessment of the dr$ta and the adr$ta III.
v v ii
1 12 14 19 21 23 28 35
II.
SABARA'S VIEW OF LANGUAGE; SABDA AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS 38 1. 2. 3. 4. Sabda The autpattika, nitya, apauru$eya Characteristics * The role of fcrtf andof the Specific Set of Phonemes Nityatva, aikarpya, niravayavatva Characteristics 39 42 47 60
IV.
SABARA'S VIEW OF LANGUAGE : SABDA IN VEDIC AND NON-VEDIC SPEECH 1. Meaningful Speech 2. Valid Speech
70 71 73
V. LANGUAGE AS THE CORE OF HERMENEUTIC S 85

1. The Hermeneutical Concern in Sbara Bhsya 2. Language and Reality 3. Hermeneutics through Language 85 87 93
VI.
MAN'S EXPERIENCE WITH LANGUAGE THROUGH HERMENEUTICS
109 125 149 156 156 161
APPENDIX : (a) Textual Sources (b) Glossary of Sanskrit Terms BIBLIOGRAPHY ; (a) Primary Sources (b) Secondary Literature INDEX
CHAPTER I
HERMENEUTICS AND LANGUAGE IN PRVAMlMMS : SBARA BHSYA As an outstanding compendium of sacrificial lore Sbara Bhsya is a source of knowledge, especially in the field of textinterpretation, which in modern terminology forms part of the discipline known as hermeneutics. The term 'hermeneutics' is complex and far reaching and inasmuch it may be described as a 'process' of understanding itself, which takes up the question of reality and language, it will be seen that it would be not inappropriate to speak of hermeneutics in Prva Mimms. Insofar as the notion of hermeneutics does not stand primarily for a theory of principles of interpretations (nyyas) or for a linguistic and logical method for the purposes of understanding, it may be asked whether an investigation into language as the core of hermeneutics is at all legitimate with special reference to this early Prva Mfmmsaka commentary. The problem, in other words, is that the term 'hermeneutics' is borrowed from Western philosophy and could give rise to the impression that such an investigation belongs rather to the domain of Western tradition. Amidst the vast literature on hermeneutics and language reference may be made to H. G. GADAMER's outstanding and significant contribution Wahrheit und Methode (Truth and Method).1 This classical work covers the whole range of hermeneutics and its development in the Western tradition and also shows clearly the "basic principles of a philosophical
1. GADAMER, H.G., Wahrheit und Methode. Grundzge einer philosophischen Hermeneutik. 2. Auflage. Tbingen, 1965, English translation by W. GLEN-DOEPEL, Truth and Method. Second edition. London 1979. (Quoted henceforth: GADAMER, H.G., Truth.)
Hermeneutics and Language
hermeneutics", as the German subtitle indicates. Thus, it may be asked whether it is possible and meaningful to elaborate a theory of hermeneutics within the philosophical context of the Indian tradition and based on the insight of &bara Bhsya. Broadly speaking, the various elements of a philosophical hermeneutics have been discussed at length in the Indian tradition with great scholarship and accuracy, as for example in connection with vac, sabda, pratyaksa, pramna, sakti, buddhi, jnna, pratyaya, vidy etc.2 Whilst the term hermeneutics appears
2. cf. for example the excellent studies by: GARGE, D.V., Citations in Sbara-Bhsya, Poona, 1952 (Quoted henceforth: GARGE, D.V., Citations.) SASTRI, G:, The Philosophy of Word and Meaning, Calcutta, 1959. BHATT, G.P., Epistemology of the Bhtta School of Prva Mimms, Varanasi, 1962 (Quoted henceforth: BHATT, G.P., Epistemology.) PANDEYA, R.C., The Problem of' Meaning in Indian Philosophy, Delhi, 1963. (Quoted henceforth: PANDEYA, R.C., Problem.) RAJA, K.K., Indian Theories of Meaning, Madras, 1963. (Quoted henceforth: RAJA, K.K., Theories.) BIARDEAU, M. Theorie de la connaissance et philosophie de la Parole dans le brahmanisme classique, Paris, 1964. (Quoted henceforth: BIARDEAU, M., Theorie.) D'SA, F.X., KumrHa's Theorie der Worterkenntnis, Dissertation, Wien, 1973. LIENHARD, S., Einige Bemerkungen ber Sabdabrahman and vivarta bei Bhavabhti, in: Wiener Zeitschrift fr die Kunde Sd-und Ostasiens und Archiv fr Indische Philosophie, 12 (1968) 216-219. IYER, K.A.S., Bhartrhari, A study of the Vkyapadiya in the light of the Ancient Commentaries, Poona, 1969. (Quoted henceforth; IYER, K.A.S., Bhartrhari.) DATTA, D.M., The si$ Ways of Knowing. A Critical Study of the Advaita Theory of Knowledge, Calcutta, 1972. (Quoted henceforth: DATTA, D.M., Ways.) MURTI, T.R.V., Some Comments on the Philosophy of Language in the Indian Context, in: Journal of Indian Philosophy (Toronto) 2 (1974) 321-331. (Quoted henceforth: MURTI, T.R.V., Comments.) MURTY, K.S., Revelation and Reason in Advaita Vednta, Delhi, 1974. (Quoted henceforth: MURTY, K.S., Revelation.) DRAVID, R.R., Language, Thought and Reality, in: R.C. PANDEYA, S.R. BHATT, (eds.), Knowledge, Culture and Value, Delhi, 1976, pp. 447-453. PANIKKAR, R., The Vedic Experience, Mantramanjari, London, 1977, pp. 88-112, 641-778.
Sahara Bhsya
only recently within Indian philosophical circles,3 the nature of hermeneutics seems to be well expressed in Prva Mimms, especially in bara Bhsya. The notion of hermeneutics must be understood in the context of the relationship between 'language' and'interpretation'. A few lengthy quotations by H.G. GADAMER may be very useful in this context as they point out some important aspects of modern hermeneutics : "I have therefore preserved the term 'hermeneutics', which the early Heidegger used, not in the sense of a methodical art, but as a theory of the real experience that thinking is. Hence I must emphasise that my analyses of play or of language are intended in a purely phenomenological sense. Play is more than the consciousness of the player; and so it is more than a subjective attitude. Language is more than the consciousness of the speaker; so it, too, is more than a subjective attitude. This is what may be described as an experience of the subject and has nothing to do with 'mythology' or 'mystification'. This fundamental methodical approach has nothing to do with any metaphysical conclusions/'4 GADAMER further points out that according to German Romanticism "understanding and interpreting are ultimately the same thing" and with reference to Western tradition, he observes :
3. cl PANIKKAR, R., Die Begrndung des hermeneutischen Pluralismus im Hinduismus, in: Kerygma und Mythos VI, Bd.II., Hamburg, 1964, pp. 119-136. CHETHIMATTAM, J.B., Scriptural Hermeneutics according to the Vedantic Bhashyakaras, in: AMALORPAVADASS, D.S., (ed.), Research Seminar on Non-Biblical Scriptures, Bangalore, 1974, pp. 360-365. PATHAK, C , Brahma-Jijns as a Fundamental Hermeneutics, in: Bharata Manisha Quarterly, 1 (1976) No. 4. pp. 13-27. GREGORIOS, P., Hermeneutics in India today in the Light of the World Debate, in: The Indian Journal of Theology, 28 (1979) 1-14. 4. GADAMER, H.G., Truth., Foreword to the second edition, p. XXIV.
"Since the romantic period we can no longer hold the view that, should there be no direct understanding, interpretative ideas are drawn on? as needed, out of a linguistic storeroom in which they are lying ready. Rather, language is the
universal medium in which understanding itself is realised. The mode of realisation of understanding is interpretation. . . .
All understanding is interpretation, and all interpretation takes place in the medium of a language which would allow the object to come into words and yet is at the same time the interpreter's own language. Thus the hermeneutical phenomenon proves to be a special case of the general relationship between thinking and speaking, the mysterious intimacy of which is bound up with the way in which speech is contained, in a hidden way, in thinking."5 "Interpretation is not something pedagogical for us either, but the act of understanding itself, which is realised not just for the one for whom one is interpreting, but also for the interpreter himself in the explicitness of linguistic interpretation . .. this process is simply the concretion of the meaning itself. . . .Understanding and interpretation are indissolubly bound up with each other."6 Whilst the above quotations may give an insight into the nature of hermeneutics in the Western context, it is evident, however, that there is a doubt as regards the direct application of a theory of hermeneutics in the Indian context. What is also evident perhaps is the fact that the above quotations have striking parallels in Indian thought even though they may not have been elaborated upon. T.R.V. MURTI, for example, makes a very interesting comment in this regard even though he makes no explicit reference to hermeneutics. He says : "Philosophy may be re-defined as critique of language. The problem of what we can know is closely bound up with the question of what we can say. It is only thought, as
5. GADAMER, H.G., Truth, pp. 350-351. 6. GADAMER, H.G., Truth, pp. 359-360.
Sahara Bhsya
expressed in words that can be understood, communicated and criticised. Language is not an accidental, dispensable garb which could be put on and put off. It grows with thought, or rather thought grows with it. In the ultimate analysis they may be identical. Bhartrhari in his Vkyapadiya (I, 123) asserts this basic fact. 'There is no cognition without the operation of the word; shot through and through is cognition by the word, as it were. All knowledge is illuminated by the word.' It is not that we have a thought, well-formed and complete, and then we seek a word to express it; or that we have a lonely word which we seek to connect with a thought. Word and thought develop together, or rather they are expressions of one deep spiritual impluse to know and to communicate. . . . It is an old and established doctrine of Bhartrhari in India that consciousness (Caitanya) is identical with Speech (Vk)"7 Whilst all the above quotations are closely related to each other in their strict concern with language, communication and understanding, however, there are important methodological differences. GADAMER, for example, lays stress on a pure phenomenological analysis together with * Wirkungsgeschichte9 (effective history, or history as impact), whereas T.R.V. MURTI in following the transcendentalism of Bhartrhari seems to adopt a strong metaphysical attitude. Whilst this is not the place to enter into a detailed account of the complex terms phenomenology' and 'metaphysics', it may be pointed out that a phenomenological approach does not necessarily imply a metaphysical standpoint or vice-versa. The phenomenologist begins with 'phenomena', whereas the metaphysician may begin with a notion of the absolute. G AD AMER's approach, which is phenomenologically oriented, arrives at the conclusion that
7. MURTI, T.R.V., Comments, pp. 321-322. FN 2 Bhartrhari, padiya (edited by K.V. Abhyankar and V.P. Limaye), Poona, 1965, p. 12,
na so 'sti pratyayo loke yah sabdnugamd rte anuviddham iva jnnam sarvam sabdena bhsate.
Hermeneutics and Languag
understanding is not only, but primordially connected with the impact of history in the very act of understanding which is itself effective. In other words, the understanding of any object varies in mutual relation to the historical context in which lies the act of understanding. The philosophical context of GADAMER's approach is "Being that can be understood is language."8 The metaphysical approach of T.R.V. MURTI who considers the Grammar School as a form of transcendentalism is evident in his conclusion that : "The Ultimate Ground is Transcendent, and generation of differences should be taken as a sort of emanation (vivarta) which does not affect the Ultimate Cause. Bhartrhari sees the entire world as a non-transforming emanation of the Non-Dual Brahman, the WORD. . . .Why should the nondual Brahman, in which the distinction of Word and Meaning has not emerged, be identified with the Essence of Speech (Sabda-Tattva) ? Because it is the Causal Ground of the Word and because it is so realised in the order of our discovery, through analysis of the Word-Symbolism."9 Consequently, whilst noticing the striking parallels of a hermeneuticai concern in both traditions, one has to be cautious in adopting the presumptions both of a phenomenological, historical approach on the one hand and a transcendental or metaphysical approach on the other. Hermeneutics with reference to Sbara Bhsya must be based on the insight of this early Prva Mimnisaka philosopher.
8. GADAMER'S concern, moreover, does not avoid ontological questions as is evident from Part III of Truth and Method (pp. 342-447) which is entitled "The Ontological Shift of Hermeneutics guided by Language", of which the last chapter is called "Language as Horizon of a Hermeneutic Ontology". 9. MUTRI, T.R.V., Comments p. 331. It seems that T.R.V. MURTI has overlooked GADAMER's ontological contribution when he says "Linguistic speculations in the West do not reach out beyond the phenomenological sphere the realm of ideational, linguistic discourse. Ontological questions are not considered, and are even studiously avoided"
{Comments, p. 330).
Sbara Bh?ya
Thus our approach is obviously connected with the realism of Sahara. It is from this viewpoint that language, communication,, interpretation and understanding are brought into focus. The guiding idea of our analysis is not to arrive at a 'special' or 'regional hermeneutics'. As K. LEHMANN points out aptly with reference to the interpretation of Rabbinical Scripture, the task of regional hermeneutics is to ensure against particular mistakes and to provide the relevant application or normative repetition of a tradition. "This hermeneutics has a concrete way of understanding in mind, for which it draws up a canon of rules with which, to approach the tradition, especially the texts. ... But such hermeneutics were simply the sum of concrete guides to right understanding derived from experience, and were mostly applied to fixed systems, of acknowledgedly authoritative character, which aimed at the right practice. They aimed at an elaborate'art' or technique of understanding, wnich is far from what is meant by a 'theory of understanding' such as constitutes the modern concept of hermeneutics."10 No matter how much a regional hermeneutics can be discovered in Prva Mimms, the fact is that the problems of regional hermeneutics are already problems of understanding itself. Thus this study on hermeneutics in Prva Mfmtjis rather attempts to answer the question "What does it really mean to understand, whereby the problem centres around the acquisition of knowledge as Sabara presents it. Such an acquisition of knowledge as it is focused in the act of understanding reality may be said to be the task of hermeneutics. To unfold this task and to show how it can be achieved the study is based on the view of reality and language as expressed in Sbara Bhsya. Reality, according to Sabara's view, encompasses everything that was, is and can be, and this single reality is
10. LEHMANN, K., Hermeneutics, in: RAHNER, K., ERNST, C. SMYTH, K. (eds.), Sacramentum Mundi. An Encyclopedia of Theology. Vol. 3. (reprint) Bangalore 1975, pp. 23-27, p. 23, col. 2.
conveniently characterised by the two dimensions of the dr$\a (visible) and the adrsfa (invisible), which are arrived at on the basis of pratyaksa and sabda.11 The distinction of reality into the two dimensions of the drsta and the adr$ta lays bare the whole problem of language and thereby indicates the nature, significance and relevance of language for hermeneutics. The nature of language according to &bara Bhsya involves the consideration of the characteristics of sabda, whilst the function of meaningful and valid speech is explained with reference to sabda and the Vedas. It is in this context that the connection of hermeneutics and language in Prva Mimips gains crucial importance. The fundamental question is the validity of cognition and especially the possibility of knowledge in view of sabda as a pramna. This is the point at which Sahara's main concern with dharma indicates, especially, the nature of hermeneutics (dharmya jijns dharmajijns. s hi tasya jntum icch (. Bh. 1.1. 1)). This concern may be said to be a hermeneutical one, as it shows Sahara's fundamental urge and wish to know what really is. Thus the hermeneutical concern centres around the problem of proper understanding in hermeneutical awareness. How hermeneutical awareness can be achieved is considered in connection with the nature, significance and relevance of language. Hermeneutics and language in Sbara Bhsya are thus indissolubly bound up with each other. The Bhsya attributed to Sabara is the oldest available commentary on the Mimms Stra of Jaimini. It is the earliest available work in the systematisedform of Prva Mimips. In the words of F. ZANGENBERG : "Besides the collection of Stras which is assigned to Jaimini there is one commentary on it that is extant, as the earliest work in the Mimms, namely the Bhsya of &abara,
11. The distinction of the dr$ta and the adrsta with reference to Sahara Bhsya seems to have been fully elaborated first by M. BIARDEAU in
her outstanding work Theorie de la connaissance et philosophie de la parole
dans le brahmanisme classique, Paris, 1964. The second chapter of Part I

is entitled: "Perception et Parole: Connaissance du visible et de Vinvisble"
(Perception and Speech: cognition of the visible and the invisible) p. 65; cf. Mimins pp. 68-99.
Sahara Bhsya
which could belong to the 5th century A.D. All theMimrns works preceding the Bhsya which are acknowledged in numerous accounts of subsequent literature, have therefore to be considered as lost."12 Whilst the date of Jaimini's Mimms Stras is usually placed between 400r200B.C, D.V. GARGE's considerations lead to the conclusion "that the extant JS falls into the earlier part of the Srautastra period, i.e. circa 500 B.C."13 Although Sbara Bhsya has sometimes been placed as early as 100 B.C.14, GARGE's investigation indicates "the second century A.D. as the earliest date to which Sahara can be assigned; the later limit being the 5th century A.D."15, which is accepted by M. BIARDEAU, F. ZANGENBERG and E. FRAUW ALLNER. Further, the latter two have furnished new evidence in favour of the fact that bara Bhsya belongs to the 5th century A.D. ZANGENBERG points out with reference to the epistemologies of the Vrttikra quoted in Sbara Bhsya, of the Snkhya author Vrsagana (probably 4th century A.D.) and of Vasubandhu (about 400-480 A.D.) that the Vrttikra and Sahara have to be placed in the 5th century A.D.16 FRAUWALLNER on the other hand establishes the date of Sbara Bhsya as
12. ZANGENBERG, F., Sabarah und seine philosophischen Quellen,
in Wiener Zeitschrift fr die Kunde Sd-und Ostasiens und Archiv fr Indische
Philosophie 6 (1962) 60-77, p. 60. (Quoted henceforth: ZANGENBERG,

F., abarah.)
For a discussion of the pre- Sahara Mfmrnsakas cf. MISRA, Umesha, Critical Bibliography of MImrns pp. 1-16 (Quoted henceforth: MISRA, U., Bibliography.), which is published as appendix in JHA, Ganganatha, Prva-Mimms in its Sources, Varanasi, 1942, and GARGE, D. V., Citations, pp. 5-8. 13. GARGE, D.V., Citations, p. 17. For a discussion of the age of Jaimini cf. pp. 13-17 and also MISRA, U., Bibliography, p. 13. 14. MURTY, K.S., Revelction, p. 195. That Sahara Bhsya has not to be placed later than 100 B.C. has already been suggested by DEVASTHALI, G.V., On the probable date of jSabarasvmin, Silver Jubilee Volume, Bhandarkar Institute 1917-42, Poona, p. 95. GARGE discusses the age of Sabara in some detail, Cf. GARGE, D.V., Citations pp. 23-26. 15. GARGE, D.V., Citations, p. 26. 16. ZANGENBERG, F., Sahara^ pp. 60-70.
10
belonging to the 5th century A.D. in the following way : The Pramnasamuccaya of the Buddhist Dignga quotes the name of Vrttikra who most probably is Bhavadsa who belongs to the first half of the 5th century A.D. Sabara also quotes the name of Vrttikra who must be considered with reference to the Vdavidhi of Vasubandhu and who consequently must be said to belong to the second half of the 5th century A.D. Thus according to FRAUWALLNER the Vrttikra of Dignga and the Vrttikra of &abara must be distinguished as different authors and consequently the date of the Bhsya of Sabara cannot be placed before the 5th century A.D.17 Moreover ZANGENBERG and FRAUWALLNER have drawn attention to the extreme difficulty in attempting to trace the philosophical influences and sources of Sahara's views, "because the earlier literature is lost and the casual remarks of the authors after Sabara cannot be taken into account, because they are not in agreement and an answer cannot be derived from them/'18 Further Sahara often quotes views and passages from the Vedas, and the smrti without direct reference to their sources. GARGE points out that little effort has been made in tracing the original sources of the citations in bara Bhsya which would assist in a better understanding of the work, which has influenced later philosophical development.19 However, the present investigation takes as Sahara's own words whatever seems to give support to his view as a whole. Besides FRAUWALLNER has interestingly dealt with the problem of what is considered to have been later insertions in
17. FRAUWALLNER, E., Materialien zur ltesten Erkenntnislehre der Karmamimnis, Wien, 1968 (Quoted henceforth: FRAUWALLNER, E., Materialien.), especially "Die Polemik gegen die Mimms in Dignga's Pramnasamuccayah" 62-103, pp. 95-103 and also "Der Vrttikrah" pp. 107-115. 18. ZANGENBERG, F., $abamh, p. 61. cf. also GARGE, Citations, pp. 28-29. 19. GARGE, D.V., Citations, p. 27, 28-32.
Sahara Bhsya
11
the original Bhsya of Sahara. On the basis of the linguistic style, the arrangement of ideas and on the basis of what can be considered to be views prevalent at the time of abara, FRAUWALLNER suggests that there are some stra portions in the Bhsya which are not original. For example the portion of bara Bhsya 1. 1. 6-23 mentions especially the nityatva character of sabda which FRAUWALLNER translates as "die Ewigkeit des Tones" (eternity of sound). In the context of the Bhsya as a whole and especially S. Bh. 1. 1. 15 and 1. 1. 24 FRAUWALLNER feels that this section is inconsistent. Further, the notion of "eternity of sound" was not prevalent at the time of Sabara and became dominant only later, especially at the time of Kumrila Bhatta who in his commentary on Sbara Bhsya deals with this section.20FRAUWALLNER's suggestion is no doubt interesting and could perhaps be proved on the basis of historical philological evidences. However, the notion of nityatva does not seem to be out of the context of Sbara Bhsya. The notion of nityatva may be more correctly rendered as 'permanence' rather than 'eternity' which would be consistent with Sahara's view as a whole. Further the textual unit which is generally accepted today as being the authentic Bhsya includes the stras which FRAUWALLNER considers to be a later insertion. Moreover, this section supports Sabara's entire view of language and reality and deserves full consideration.
20. FRAUWALLNER, Erich, Mimmsstram I, 1, 6-23, in: Wiener Zeitschrift fr die Kunde Sdund Ostasiens und Archiv fr Indische Philosophie, 5 (1961) 113-124 (Quoted henceforth: FRAUWALLNER, E., Mimrnsstram, I, 1. 6-23.). FRAUWALLNER, E., Das Eindringen der Sprachtheorie in die Indischen philosophischen Systeme. Indologentagung 1959. Verhandlungen der Indol. Arbeitstagung in Essen-Bredeny, Gttingen \960, 239-243. FRAUWALLNER, E., Sprachtheorie und Philosophie im Mahbhsyam des Patanjali, in: Wiener Zeitschrift fr die Kunde Sd- und Ostasiens und Archiv fr Indische Philosophie, 4 (1960) 92-118, especially pp. 111-118.
CHAPTER II
ABARA'S VIEW OF REALITY
In order to reach dharma1 man has to live within his field of experience which according to Sahara Bhsya is intrinsically related to reality as a whole. In fact, Sahara's main concern, the realization of dharma> depends largely on the understanding of reality. Thus dharma is considered and realized in the two dimensions of reality : the visible (dfsta) and the invisible (adrsta). Sahara, in general, takes for granted as visible reality, whatever is pratyak$a and vyapadesya, i.e., whatever can be perceived and
1. Mi. s. 1.1.2: "Dharma is the object that is indicated by the Vedic injunctions", (see text p. 125) S. Bh. 1.1.2: "That which is indicated by the (Vedic injunctions) is the object (dharma) which brings man to the highest good. This is our thesis", (see text p. 125) "Dharma according to the context is the assemblage of the Vedic rites prescribed in order to reach 'heaven' after death and welfare in this world or the conduct that is considered to be meritorious because it is recommended by the orthodox tradition and it assures good rebirths. Accepting the latter dharma contains still the Vedic rites but comprehends as well the conduct in a more proper ethical view. It is also a 'quality' of a thing or a being and in Buddhism the thing itself". (BIARDEAU, M., Theorie, p. 466.) Ganganatha JHA emphasizes that dharma is used in the sense of what should be done, i.e., duty, and 'what is moral', cf. JHA, G., Prva-Mimms in its Sources, Varanasi, 1964, pp. 152-154 (Quoted heneforth: JHA, G., Prva-Mimms.) and also his translation: Sbara-Bhsya, 3 vols, Gaekwad's Oriental Series No. 66.70.73, Baroda (Quoted henceforth: JHA, G., SaharaBhfya). (especially with reference to S. Bh. 1.1.2 in vol. I, pp. 6-7 and the introduction in vol. III. p. VIII.). R.C. PANDEYA comments upon Mi. S. 1.1.2: "The Mimms Stras set out to examine the duty of human beings (dharma). Duty was defined as imperative. That which gives oneself some urge is called duty" (Problem, P. 13).
Sahara's View of Reality
13
named/expressed.2 If an object is open to sense perception, it belongs to the visible dimension of reality (drtfa), e.g. cow, fire, the various ingredients of a sacrifice, etc. Everything else which is not the outcome of mere imagination belongs to the invisible dimension (adrtfa). As for the invisible reality, he points, for example, to svarga (heaven), devat (deity) and aprva (what previously did not exist, what is new). The core of both (dr$ta and adr$ta), as far as it is cognized, is arthlambanah (has a real object as support)3, though as we shall see, in different ways. Here the pivotal significance of sabda* becomes very obvious, because according to Sahara Bhsya sabda finally forms and structures the whole experience and whatever is related to it. It is the key to all investigations into hermeneutics and language and is directly related to human experience.
T.R.V. MURTI points out that "The MImms which is ostensibly concerned with dharmaperformance of the sacrifices and rites finds that the investigation of dharma involves metaphysical and epistemological issues about the self, nature of karma etc. It is committed to a form of Realism". {The Central Philosophy of Buddhism, London 1974, pp. 29-30). For recent discussion on dharma see: MISRA, R.S., The Meaning of Dharma, in: Studies in Philosophy and Religion, Varanasi, 1971, pp. 118-140. MAN1CKAM, T.M., Manu's Vision of the Hindu Dharma, in: Journal of Dharma, 1 (1975) 101-117. KUPPUSWAMY, B., A Modern Review of Hindu Dharma, in: Journal of Dharma, 1 (1975) 118-136. 2. cf. the discussion on buddhi and artha in the context of pratyakfa in S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 125) 3. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (FW 30, 12-13): arthlambanah pratyaya fr "Cognition has its substratum in the object" (G. JHA). M. BIARDEAU comments : " 'La connaissance a l'object reel pour support', et non pratyaksah, 4la perception'. Pratyaya est ici le synonyme de jnna et designe n'importe quelle connaissance" {Theorie, p. 76). ('The knowledge has the real object as support' and not pratyaksa, 'the perception'. Pratyaya is here the synonym of jnna and denotes any kind of knowledge.) 4. sabda: sound, noise, word, speech, etc. cf. the multidimensional meaning of sabda below pp. 39-41.
14 1. The drtfa or the Visible
"In worldly affairs action is determined by things; it is not indicated by words. One acts in accordance with the (state of) things and not in accordance with words. But in Vedic action the thing is known only through the word. Hence actions should be done in accordance with words."6 In the investigation of language Sahara's comment demonstrates clearly the importance of things and the relevance of words to man's experience. Man's experience is related to the state of things (artha). Artha has a multidimensional meaning and in Sbara Bhsya it usually indicates 'object, thing'6, 'aim, purpose'7, 'sense, meaning'.8 In spite of this wide range of meanings there seems to be often an emphasis on artha as an object, i.e., on things required for sacrifice. For &abara things and objects must be capable of being clearly indicated or described. In fact "the external object has a form and it is directly perceived as connected with external space."9 This suggests that there is no factual observation of things or objects without form {kra). In fact, "when we directly perceive an object, we perceive it with a form."10 The whole emphasis is laid on the direct perception of a real object that is accessible to sense perception by its form and structure (kra). kra connotes "form, figure, shape, stature, appearance."11 It is the "direct object of perception" and the pregnant aspect of the object that is noticed and makes it known". Besides "kra is also the lay-out in the external space". It is objective.12
5. S. Bh. 6.8.27 (see text p. 134). 6. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 125). 7. S. Bh. 6.1.2 (see text p. 134). 8. S. Bh. 9.1.9 (see text p. 134). 9. cf. Serial no. 6: S. Bh. 1.1.5 (FW 28, 17-19). 10. cf. Serial no. 6: S. Bh. 1.1.8 (FW 30, 12-13). 11. MONIER-WILLIAMS, A Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Delhi, 1974, p. 127, col. 2; cf. -kr to bring near or towards (quoted henceforth: MONIER-WILLIAMS, Dictionary.) 12. "La notion qui fait le nerf de la demonstration est celle d'kra, 4e 'forme structured; ... Vkra est l'object direct de la perception...II
15
Hence the object is real and accessible to sense perception (pratyakfa). There is a visible dimension which is neither inferred nor has its own existence apart from the object.13 The object gives support to cognition.14 Ideas might be inferred thereof, but they are only valid as a result of this objective source and these ideas do not exist in themselves apart from the object. If ideas are only the products of a human mind, then they are unreliable. Neither sense perception nor a human source as such are a guarantee for a reliable source of knowing a thing, if it is not within the objective realm of sense perception which has the support of the real object. It is, therefore, the object in the realm of visibility that can become experiential, factual knowledge. Although the objects are not eternal, i.e., they have a concrete beginning, continuation and an end, as they come into existence and perish,15 they are nonetheless in contact with tman (self) which is equated with nitya (permanent).16 The object forms an entity, which is characterized by stability, as we cannot perceive any change within it. It is worth emphasizing
est Faspect prgnant de Pobjet, ce que Ton remarque et qui le fait reconnaitre. Vkra est aussi d*emblee situe dans Tespace externe". (BIARDEAU, M., Theorie, p. 75) 13. cf. Serial No. 2: S. Bh. 1.1.5 14. cf. Serial No. 6: S. Bh. 1.1.5 (FW 30, 12-13) 15. cf. S. Bh. 2.1.3: "When words serve their object while they are pronounced, one apprehends a form which, having come into existence once, continues to exist for some time, i.e., the object does not perish as soon as it comes into existence like an act and these words are names; they express substances and qualities. (See text p. 134). 16. Sbara Bhsya refers in this context to the Brhadranyakopanisad 3, 2, 25; 4, 3, 9; 4, 5, 13, 15, 23; 5,4,11 and the Satapatha Brhmana Mdhyandina 14, 7, 3, 15. The Bhsya concludes with the latter. "This tman, verily, is imperishable and of indestructible nature; but there is contact with the elements (perishable things)'*. [S. Bh. 1.1.5 (FW 60, 21-22), see text p. 125]. cf. also S. Bh. 1.1.5 (FW 58, 23-24): "Certainly he knows from evanescent (activities) the enduring" see text p. 125). G. JHA remarks in this context: "Or, on the basis of the evanescent activities one comes to cognise the enduring Self" (Sbara-Bhsya, vol. I., p. 30).
16
that "the only means of knowing objects is to realize that 'everything is as it is cognised to be.' " 17 Objects, due to their shape and form, support knowledge insofar as they are cognised. The fact of recognition points to tman, as this notion of recognition appears only in the inner self.18 The self that is not perishable, but enduring, must be something distinct from the cognition which is evanescent.19 tman itself cannot be shown in its structure, but man is aware of the tman because of selfluminosity.20 In fact, it is not apart from the one who perceives himself.21 It is important to note that tman is alive with puru$a (man) because the human body is the link between tman and artha through perception. As there is no human cognition without tman and the object, knowledge must be accessible to man in order to be real. It arises when artha (object) and puru$a (man) are in inseparable unity with tman. Thus two dimensions of reality are focused in man. One dimension includes what is nitya (permanent) and apauruseya (not made by a human or divine agent) and other includes what is a stable object.22 Entities which are not permanent, though lasting (i.e. not momentary), being drsta, come into contact with the adr$ta>
17. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 125). 18. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 126). 19. S. Bh. 1.1.5: "After it has been declared 'this, verily, is the tman\ it is said 'It is imperishable, for it is not to be destroyed*. Further 'this tmariy verily, is imperishable and of indestructible nature'. Cognition on the other hand is evanescent. Hence we conclude that it is different from (that which is) evanescent." (see text p. 126). 20. S. Bh. 1.1.5: "Because of the statement 'there is self-luminosity'. There is also a Brhmana-text: 'In that state the person becomes selfilluminated' (i.e., self-luminous)." (see text p. 126). 21. cf. Serial No. 16 S. Bh. 1,1.5. (FW 58, 23-24). "Thus all perceive (their) tman through their own tman, even though they are not perceived by other people. In support of this there is the Brhmana-text 'when speech ceases, what light does the person have? - He has the light of the tman (tmajyotih), O king so did he say." (see text p. 126). 22. cf. Serial No. 15.16.21. S. Bh. 1.1.5: "We perceive the tman through desire. ... If, on the other hand, there is a cogniser apart from the cognition, who is permanent, then the same (person) who perceived (something) on one day, desires (it) on the other day. The desire would be impossible otherwise." (see text p. 126). cf. also Serial No. 19.
17
whose -features are permanent, and with the apauru$eya. But the dr$ta and the adrsta are not merged into one another, though they form one reality. Both these dimensions belong to the same re'ality and are in spite of their different features inseparable from one another with regard to knowledge. Man is directed to reality in both its visible and invisible dimensions. Both dimensions are accessible only through man, for whose benefit reality exists. Actually there is a mutual support between tman and artha (object), insofar as Sbara Bhsya throws light on the problem of cognition and perception. The body, which is artha as well, does not exist without the self as seat of pleasure and pain. Thus artha seems to be supported by tman. However, the tman is regarded as distinct from cognition on the ground of the self-realization of the one who is involved.23 Further the tman is not realized without artha, i.e. without the body, without bodily existence, but tman is not bound to it. However, this body-tman relation becomes only obvious through inference, which finally rests on the perception of feelings, breathing and desire.24 So tman as the cogniser is selfcognised. tman cannot be perceived by anyone other than oneself, but one can make the other aware of one's own tman^ tman is not something that is yet to come, but exists even
23. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 126). G. JHA sums up the passage, when, in a very free translation, he points out: "Thus on the ground of this selfrealization, it is concluded that there is a person (self) distinct from cognition" (Sbara-Bhsya, vol. I., p. 30). 24. This can be seen from the link in the explanation of the sacrificer who goes straight to heaven (with reference to pleasure and pain) and tman (with reference to cognition, desire and memory). S. Bh. 1.1.5: "On account of the connection with the body because of the sacrificial implements the one to whom the body belongs is also spoken of as 'equipped with sacrificial implements'. (The opponent) says: Who is this other? We do not perceive him.(Answer) We obtain it through breathing etc. ... Breathing etc. are no properties of the body. ... Further, pleasure etc. (pain and such feelings) are perceived by (the person) himself. ... Hence, on account of the properties being different from those of the body the one who is equipped with sacrificial implements is other than the body", (see text p. 126). 25. cf. Serial No. 21
18
when it is not known. But artha (object) is really present (not non-existent), if it can be apprehended by sense perception. Both tman and artha are presupposed in man. tman is given as existing permanently, while artha has limitation. Knowledge, therefore, is confined to the interaction between the dr$ta and the adr$ta. There is change in the world that cannot be presupposed in spite of the permanence of tman and in spite of the limitations of the object. Man is aware of change by perceiving similarity and difference of objects. The object is not permanent and tman is not affected by the thing which undergoes change. This change of the object, however, does not characterize the physical reality which is ever in process. The formation of world is still considered to be within a whole which is stablewithout creation (sr$ti) and dissolution (pralaya), as Kumrila Bhatta has formulated it.26 The only access to the visible dimension of reality is based on sense perception. Although sense perception is itself within the visible dimension, reality is not limited by it or reduced to it. The invisible is supported by the visible and vice versa; both the visible and the invisible are dimensions of reality wherein they are related to things which can be perceived. Things of the world are related to man directly and talking of things perceived independently of man is to make reality meaningless. Things are given within the whole and do not carry any meaning and being in themselves set apart from the whole, which includes man. This does not suggest that meaning is added to things in an attitude of mere name giving by men, but that things are meaningful for men in their concrete, real structure for human experience without being bound only to a human sphere of reality. The realm of visibility (dr$ta) of human experience shows clearly that it is only one aspect of reality, which does not indicate another reality beyond the one perceived, but is does point to another aspect of reality the adrsfa (invisible).
26. cf. Kumrila's Slokavrttikam, Sambandhksepaparihrafci, vv. 42117, esp. 47, 67.68.

2. The adrta or the Invisible
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Actions according to Sahara have various and different results depending upon the object which is in the realm of visibility. If the object is in connection with a Vedic sacrifice, the result must not belong to the realm of visibility. Sabara Bhsya 11,2,25-26 may serve as an illustration to show how far the object gives support to the visible and the invisible. Sahara's opponent explains that in order to obtain 'senseefficiency' through a sacrificial act, grain is used. Can grain produce an invisible result ?In fact agricultural operations do not produce an invisible result. And he continues : " 'Besides there is no invisible (result) from an agricultural operation; the homa as it is similar to it, also is not likely to bring about an invisible (result). It is likely to bring about only (grains of) rice, because of its similarity to an agricultural operation, no sense-efficiency'. 'It is, therefore, with regard to such matters not (true) that the invisible is attained (proved) by the visible'. 'How is it then that the result follows from a homa ?' 'Our answer is that one knows from sabda that there will be a result. Whereof sabda speaks, thereof a result follows. Hence it is justifiable (to maintain this position).... Hence the correct view is that the result (sense-efficiency) follows from the homa and it is unreasonable to say the result follows from (the material) dadhi' "27 There is no doubt that according to Sabara in referring to Vedic acts "the thing is known only through the word. Hence actions should be done in accordance with words."23 Nevertheless Sabara objects to the explanation mentioned above by quoting the Vrttikra : " 'The material as resting in the homa brings about the result, as the officer of the king, who subsists on the king,
27. S. Bh. 2.2.25 (see text p. 134). 28. See Serial No. 5: S. Bh. 6.8.27 and also Serial No. 27. Cf. below chapter IV. Sabara's View of Language: Sabda in Vedic and nonVedic Speech, pp. 70-84.
20
Hermeneutics and Language performs the works of the king. Thus the result follows from dadhi. One who desires sense-efficiency should bring about sense-efficiency by means of dadhi9. ... 'It is because of the indication of what has to be done that the result follows from the accomplishment with dadhi. ... Hence the result follows from the (use of the) dadhi9.... or 'There will be the result from dadhi in connection with the homa\"29
Sabara gives a great significance to sabda (word, Veda) and, therefore, he does not abandon the object (dravya) at all. The grains or dadhi do not change the kra, whether they are used for a visible or invisible result, within or without a sacrificial act. In our context dadhi supports reality in both its aspects of visibility and invisibility. The visible and the invisible dimensions of reality are connected here by a specific object (dadhi), although the visible means, the material, must not be stated explicitly (for example "agnihotrafpjuhuytsvargakmah'\i.Q.,weh&vQ only a result, heaven, mentioned along with an act).30 However, the object within the visible dimension of reality, cannot be abandoned from the invisible dimension of reality although we do know about the latter only by inference. This inference is wrong, if our perception is wrong. Hence in our example the object is abandoned only by a wrong perception of dadhi and only because of such an error the object would not lead to an invisible result within an otherwise correct sacrificial procedure. It must be noted that the object can be used only in the visible reality to give support to the existence of what cannot be perceived by sense perception, namely the invisible; it will have to be used correctly in a sacrificial act. If the object is used for a result in the visible dimension of reality (as in the case of agricultural acts), the object is not thereby linked with the invisible dimension of reality. According to Sabara the invisible dimension is indicated by sabda (word, Veda). Yet his explanation shows, to a certain
29. S. Bh. 2.2.26 (see text p. 134). 30. S. Bh. 2.2.26 (see text p. 134).
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extent, how by a correct use of an object the invisible dimension of reality is supported by the visible one, 31 but not vice versa. This seems to be often the case with regard to the invisible dimension, which is presented, for example, by svarga, devat, aprva, although their presentation and presence are different from one another. (i) Svarga
The use of 'svarga' (heaven) occurs in ancient smrti texts, in the Vedas and also in the popular use of the term in the time of Sahara Bhsya.32 We come across it in assertions like " 'Fine silken clothes are heaven', 'Sandal paste is heaven', 'Sixteen-year old girls are heaven'. In fact, anything that is pleasant is spoken of as heaven. Therefore we are of the opinion that it follows from the common function that heaven is a pleasure-giving substance... The word heaven is well known in common usage with regard to a particular region, where neither heat nor cold (exists), neither hunger nor thirst. There is neither lack of fondness nor any tiredness. Who has led a virtuous life goes there after death, but nobody else."33 The use of 'svarga" in such statements as "fine silken clothes are heaven" could make it a clear-cut object which is not beyond sense perception nor beyond one's physical reach. In such a case svarga would be an accomplished entity. Although svarga is illuminated by statements based on sense-experience, these statements serve only as a "pointer" to the actual svarga. In fact Sabara vehemently opposes all descriptive statements of svarga, because, as he says, human experience does not
31. The visible points to the invisible in other ways as well as, for example, in the relation between the body and the tman, and in human perception of cognition, (cf. above pp. 15-18). 32. cf. above pp. 9-10. 33. S. Bh. 6.1.1 (see text p. 135).
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provide us with any direct support of svarga.u Svarga cannot be established or recognised on the basis of the contact between senses and the object of sense-experience, which forms the visible dimension of reality. This view according to Sahara, does neither prove the non-existence of svarga nor deny man's desire for it. Heaven is something to be "enjoyed" and all descriptions of it fall short of actually grasping it. Statements are nothing but those made within an anthropomorphical framework which breaks down, as soon as one realizes that svarga is not tobe experienced by man on the basis of sense perception. Although it is something that can and has to be reached and obtained, it is not available as some specified object at the moment when one desires it. Heaven, according to Sahara, has to be realized (sdhya) and this is made possible only by being involved in sacrificial acts. This link between man, sacrifice and heaven is essential, because heaven and sacrifice cannot be made exclusive of each other and these are meaningless without reference to the man performing the sacrifice with the view to achieving heaven.35 An act in the visible dimension, namely sacrifice, leads to the invisible dimension, namely heaven (svarga). Thus, svarga is only possible by the correct performance of the sacrificial act. Further, svarga has its support only in tman which is not at all affected by man's physical death. Although it is only the tman that enjoys svarga, nonetheless man (as the physical
34. . Bh. 6.1.1. "There is no pramna (in support of the statement that) there are such men with powers (siddha) and that they have described (the heavenly region) after having seen it. Hence there is indeed no such region. ... Since there is no human activity in relation to any such region the svargasabda, therefore, cannot be considered as expressive of it" (see text p. 135). 35. &. Bh. 6.1.2: "Thus in order not to consider (the sacrifice) as useless the possibility of (bringing about) heaven is (must) to be understood. And as the activity of man is qualified by the sacrifice, the sacrifice should be the means to it. Thus it is well said that the 'sacrifice' is the subordinate factor and 'heaven' the principal factor" (see text p. 135). S. Bh. 6.1.3: "An activity is undertaken with a view to some desired object. For one who desires heaven, heaven is the desired object. The distinct reference of one who desires heaven is only for the purpose of indicating that particular activity. This is flawless", (see text p. 135).
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embodiment of the tmari) makes an effort with the view of obtaining happiness,36 which depends on his performance of the sacrifice. Svarga arising from man's sacrifice cannot be grasped as a substance, as it never fully reveals itself in its pure state to sense perception. "Heaven is happiness, and everyone seeks for happiness..." a word that cannot be restricted to anything particular.37 "Heaven is the result of an action whose result is not specified."38 All categories are inadequate and break down, when they are applied to the realm of invisibility. For Sahara there is, however, neither an indication nor a justification for assuming a reality which is beyond man's reach. The two dimensions of reality for Sabara are drsfa and adr$ta and they cannot be considered as two independent realities. We can only say that svarga, which belongs to the invisible dimension of reality, is real and that we cannot describe its existence by means of definitions. Although it is invisible, it is within man's reach through his effort in sacrifice. Svarga does not make any specific distinction among men. Anyone can either perform or be involved in a sacrifice. Even if the result is not specifically mentioned in the context of a particular sacrificial act, the result will still be svarga (heaven/ happiness), because "this (result) would be 'heaven', as that is equally desirable for all. In fact, all men desire heaven." 39 (ii) Devat
"Deities are those who are Sktabhk (to whom hymns are addressed) and Havirbhk (recipients of offerings)."40 The devat that is usually mentioned in Sbara Bhsya is in connection with the performance of sacrifices and thereby belongs
36. S, Bh. 6.1.2: "In this case, however, svargasabda verily denotes happiness. If it means happiness, then the sacrifice is the subordinate factor and happiness the principal factor.Why soBecause man's effort is for that purpose; for man makes an effort in order to obtain happiness'1 (see text p. 135). 37. S. Bh. 4.3.15 (see text p. 135). 38. S. Bh. 4.3.16 (see text p. 136). 39. S. Bh. 4.3.15 (see text p. 136). \ 4 0 . S. Bh. 10.4.23 (see text p. 136).
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to the reality in which we live. In the context of the two dimensions of reality it becomes pertinent to ask whether a devat is
present as dr$ta or adr$ta.
Sahara rejects strongly any human experience of a devat. He 'demythologises' those statements made in the smrti texts and known by custom and indicative texts, which pretend to speak about a certain behaviour and/or qualities of the devat. e.g. eating habits, rewarding people with wealth and strength; physical qualities like Indra's arms as 'covered with hair' etc. {Devatdhikarana IX, 1, 6-10). Although the smrti texts are based on mantra and arthavda texts, the latter two do not lend support to any notion that deities behave like or have qualities of human beings. There is neither any feeding of nor eating by any devat in the case of sacrifices; in fact the deities never eat and are never intoxicated. They have no material body nor do they own anything.41 Neither is there any proof by sense perception nor is there any textual evidence of an anthropomorphic view in the Vedic texts. Deities are clearly distinguished from human beings, they cannot replace each other. In fact a deity 'is not even able to perform sacrifices42 nor can man replace the deity to which the offerings are made in a sacrifice. Nevertheless deities are important for the performance of a sacrifice, "since the very term sacrifice' denotes an act bearing upon a substance and a deity" (G. JHA).43 In the case of a conflict between the offering material, i,e, substance, and a deity the former is considered to be more important,44 although the deity is always related to the sacrifice. Substance and deity are both accomplished entities, but the deity is spoken of only as a subordinated factor, because
41. S. Bh. 9.1 9 3.2.37 9.1.9 (see text p. 136). 42. S. Bh. 6.1.5: "It is not correct that the animals also are entitled {to perform sacrifices) - who is then entitled? - ...The deities are not (entitled to perform sacrifices), because there are no other deities (to whom they could offer the sacrifice). There cannot be offering to one's own self; in fact, that would not be an offering at all" (see text p. 136). 43. S. Bh. 6.1.2 (see text p. 136). 44. S. Bh. 8.1.32 (see text p. 136).
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the deity does not give the phala (fruit, reward).45 The sacrifice is for the sake of the specific deity that is involved and for which no substitute can be made. Any substitute in such a case would then serve a different purpose. Actually, the deity serves only the purpose of becoming the recipient of a specific offering.46 There is no doubt for abara that the devat as the recipient of the offering is necessary for the sacrificial act in which and for which the devat's presence is indicated in the relevant Vedic texts. However, "the only means of knowing objects is to realize that everything is as it is cognized to be" 47 , but sense perception does not show any contact with the deity. Sahara, however, knows it only insofar as Vedic injunctions are concerned with it. He is aware of the deity through inference. The deity is not actually visible, but through its important function in the sacrifice it is concerned with the visible dimension of reality. Devat cannot be compared with artha as a material object. Although artha belongs to the realm of visibility, it can have, nonetheless, a superior position to the devat. Nor can devat be compared with svarga. Although svarga belongs to the realm of invisibility, it is not, however, an accomplished entity like devat. With regard to the devat as an existing entity bara Bhsya 10.4.23 is responsible for the view often held in the past and expressed by D.V. GARGE that "the deities further are not
45. S. Bh. 9.1.9: "The deity is spoken as subordinate. The substance and the deity are in fact accomplished entities (i.e. already existing {bhtam). ... Though the sacrifice is meant for the sake of the deity, thereby it is not set aside that it is with respect to the result. Man is aiming at the result. Our activity is with a view to our purpose (i.e. man)and not that of a deity" (see text p. 137). 46. S. Bh. 6.3.18: "In case of a flaw as regards the deity, the fire, the mantra or the action, there can be no substitute (for the performance of a sacrifice)why?Because it is related to another purpose. A substitute would be different from those (original ones). Something different cannot serve the purpose for those", (see text p. 137) . S. Bh. 10.4.23 (see text p. 137). 47. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 127).
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even believed to have any existence anywhere else except in the Vedic mantras that describe them (2)." 48 In this context Sabara points out that terms denoting time are found to be spoken of as 'deity' [kla (time), msa (month) and sayivatsara (year) ]. 49 This speaks against the opinion that by the term 'deity' we understand those 'beings', Agni and the rest who are described in Itihsas and Purnas as living in heaven.50 Further he states, if its denotation were to rest entirely on the application in the mantra and the Brhmana texts, then the meaning of the terms would always remain unknown, inasmuch as the generic name 'deity' is scarcely used in common parlance. And he concludes that deities are those who are Sktabhk and Havirbhk.51 Then he explains : "In the performance of a sacrifice no form (rpena) of the devat is present. By what means then ? Through the related sabda. Like the Adhvaryu gives manual assistance, so the devat assists through sabda. According to (the injunction) 'the Hotr pours the 'lepd with both hands'though (the assistance is) related to the hands k is the Hotr himself who assists. So too the assistance of the devat through the related sabda is to be understood. Though the devat is enjoined as the one who assists, the inherence (samavya of the devat) in the sacrifice is still due to sabda (i.e. the related sabda, name).... But how ? There is the sabda, indeed, related to offering (havif). Through this relation the object (artha) also will be there as devat. The devat is thus that which through sabda is in a proper relation to the offering. The act is recognized as being done in reference to the object denoted only when it is found that it is not possible for the action to take place in reference to the word. Here the word (sabda), however, is itself involved in what has to be done
48. GARGE, D.V., Citations, p. 12. FN 2: "Vide Sahara on JS 10.4.25 (p. 1824)". 49. S. Bh. 10.4.23 (see text p. 137). 50. S. Bh. 10.4.23 (see text p. 137). 51. S. Bh. 10.4.23 (see text p. 137).
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(with regard to the sacrifice). Consequently, sabda does not function with the aim of 'demonstrating or explaining' an object (i.e., sabda is inextricably in the act itself). ... (The opponent then says) No doubt sabda itself operates (is in force) as devat ? (Sabara's answer) This will not lead to any confutation by us. For this view does not oppose our position. ..." 52 The relevance of sabda with reference to devat is clearly evident in the above passage. The insistence on the devat being confined to the Vedic mantras and rites only is a rather hasty conclusion. Taking Sabara's view of language into consideration there is strictly speaking no need of such a restriction of the presence of devat. However, according to Sbara Bhsya the deities exist, for example, with the Vedic sacrifice and M. BIARDEAU rightly points out,53 they do not enrich human knowledge about the invisible. The deity belongs to the imperceptible things,54 i.e., it cannot be apprehended in terms of a visible object. Thus one cannot speak of it in the same way, as if it would belong to the visible dimension of reality. Insofar as devat belongs to the invisible dimension and insofar as Sbara Bhsya operates meaningfully only within man's experience, any discussion of devat is bound to fall short of what the devat actually is. Those who give more information about devat with regard to the mantra and arthavda texts look at the mere surface of the texts. 55 In other words, according to Sabara, "what cannot be spoken of (as an object of perception) cannot be the object of sense perception." 66 One cannot
52/ S. Bh. 10.4.23 (see text p. 137). 53. "It does not seem to be an exaggeration to say that the deities are hardly anything more than names with which one is but barely preoccupied. They have no existence except in the Vedic rites, and the sruti reveals them only with reference to the function of the sacrifices, like integral parts of the complex ritual. One cannot consider them as a particular object which can be taught for its own sake and which would enrich human knowledge of the invisible" (BIARDEAU, M., Theorie, p. 88). 54. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 127). 55. cf. S. Bh. 9.1.9 (see text p. 138). 56. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see-text p. 127).
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speak of it, yet its presence cannot be denied either; nor can it be confined to a specific place, because devta itself is involved through sabda. (Hi) Aprva Within the visible dimension of reality sense perception includes the awareness of change. By comparing entities with regard to similarities and differences man perceives objects in a sense of 'relative permanence'. For example, the material substance of the sacrifice is completely burnt and the remains are a new visible entity,67 namely ashes ; or also grains have a new visible purpose in agricultural operations, namely for the production of new grains. Change cannot be perceived within an entity itself. Change itself is an act, "which transposes its substratum from one place to another" (G. JHA). 58 Hence no new qualities or structures become visible in an object, but there is a mere dislocation or removal in the external world. Whatever is actually perceived is only an accomplished entity, such as the necklace, the svastika, the dish etc.5 Within the invisible dimension of reality no sense perception provides us with any entity, i.e. we are not in contact with the invisible in the same way as we are with the visible. For example, at the sacrifice the devat is present as an entity to which nothing is added for its accomplishment; it is really present through the word, but is not perceived as an object itself. The fact of not actually perceiving the form of a devat does not seem to undermine Sahara's view on devat, because for him devat still serves the function of (only) supporting the sacrificial act. What is noteworthy here with reference to Sahara's view on sacrifice and devat is that the actual sacrifice, whose importance cannot be overemphasized, operates in the visible dimension of reality; in a sense the devat, which belongs to the invisible dimension, is subservient to the performance of the sacrifice (though ultimately both devat and the sacrifice are in a mutual relationship).
57. 58. 59. S. Bh. 2.1.5 (see text p. 138). S. Bh. 2.1.5 (see text p. 138). S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 127).
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In fact what poses a major problem with regard to the sacrifice is svarga. Svarga cannot be recognised as an entity even by the completion of the sacrifice. This is the case although the mantra were correctly recited and even when the material substance under a correctly performed sacrificial act itself 'perishes'. No change as transposition of the visible sacrifice into svarga can be noticed, so that one could say that the invisible purpose "svarga" is achieved. There seems to be no link prima facie between sacrifice and heaven, although both are for man's benefit. Sahara's views on the validity of the visible and invisible dimension of reality is at stake. Sabara does not introduce the concept of time as a reliable factor which accounts for the relation between the visible and invisible. Time does not appear as a creative or destructive power that can link events and entities in a certain chain of sequences and disruptions. In other words, the invisible result, "svarga", is not dependent on time for its achievement. Further Sahara does not take for granted any special reason for the non-perception of an invisible entity (for example, svarga). Rather he assumes an invisible force or power, called aprva* which, as he says, necessarily escapes any sense perception. The term "aprva" itself60 is a negative one, i.e. not "prva"y but "aprva". Hence the term excludes whatever visible content that may have been perceived in any previous and hitherto existing entity. For example aprva is not the foreknown ashes that are a consequence of the sacrificial fire nor is it the foreknown fruit of grains or seeds used in agricultural operations. Aprva (being literally the negation of prva) means that it does not connote any idea or notion of what is "previous", "former", "prior to", "preceding", or what has been "earlier" than what is now. In other words, aprva cannot be foreseen in nor forecast by expressive terms nor known by description based on either sense perception or logic. Thus aprva is unpreceded and unprecedented, it did not exist before and is thus quite new. It is also unparalleled and incomparable. Aprva is an extraordinary power leading to an intended though unforeseen consequence
60. cf. MONIER-WILLIAMS, Dictionary, aprva p. 65, col. 2 and prva p. 643, col. 1.
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of a sacrificial act : heaven (svarga). In brief, " 'aprva' is what did not exist before, that which is new" (BIARDEAU). 61 In fact according to Sabara there are no means by which one can describe what is denoted by aprva. There is no insight into it by names,62 i.e., nouns which are based on the contact with 'substances and qualities', which in fact belong to the visible dimension of reality. He says, "Thus there is a word which expresses this (sacrificial act) so that the aprva is 'known'. Therefore we say that verbs (bhvasabda ; word of activity, becoming) incite the aprva. But there is no word at all which actually expresses the aprva... Therefore verbs (karmasabda; verb of action) which have an object that comes into existence incite the
aprva.9'63
Therefore aprva cannot be spoken of by denoting it through nouns. Aprva remains invisible. Thus the emphasis has to be laid on verbs, which in fact do not denote anything in existence. They have an 'activity', especially, a 'becoming' or 'coming into existence', as their fundamental denotation. 64 Aprva is comprehended as a result of an act65 in the sense of completing the activity involved and of fulfilling the invisible purpose intended. It is embedded in the accomplishment, i.e., in the bringing about of what is desired and of what is enjoined in the sacrificial act. Thus it is not actually in existence yet, but is still an invisible purpose behind the act.
61. "Aprva 'Ce qui n'existait pas auparavant, ce qui est nouveau'" (BIARDEAU, M., Theorie, p. 466). G. JHA's translation of aprva as 'Transcendental Potency' may be misleading on account of the various implications from the standpoint of Western Philosophy. 62. cf. Serial No. 15: S. Bh. 2.1.3. 63. S. Bh. 2.1.1 (see text p. 138). 64. S. Bh. 2.1.4 (see text p. 138). 65. cf. bhvasabda: S. Bh. 2.1.1 (see text p. 138).
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Actually aprva has its share in bhvan, i.e. in an "efficient force" (D'SA), 66 which is expressed by words (verbs) not only denoting an action, but expressing an activity (bhvan)*1 One can speak of bhvan only if there arises a real connection between the agent involved and the "doing or becoming" which is implied in the verb. In other words, the bringing into existence of svarga is due to this efficient force, called bhvan, insofar as it is connected with the agent desiring the particular result. This, however, does not imply that bhvan is only at work in or restricted to a sacrificial context, but it also operates in any activity in the visible world. Bhvan does indicate aprva, insofar as it is embodied in words denoting activity (bhvrtha). Nevertheless, in spite of logical and linguistic analysis one cannot call aprva the causal link. Insofar as bhvan relates *svargakmah" and 'yajeta\ i.e. the connection between 'one desirous of heaven' and 'one should sacrifice', aprva relates the invisible result (svarga) with the agent (svargakmab) who performs the sacrifice. However BIARDEAU's view,68 that aprva can be called a "mere relation" seems to be rather debatable. The efficient force (bhvan) which brings something new into existence (what has not been foreseen and known before or after a sacrificial act, i.e. aprva) would become so weak that in fact bhvan would turn out to be only a superficial relation without being a force. There is, according to Sabara, an aprva, because the sacrificial act is perishable.69 Aprva is brought into existence by the act, to be more precise, by bhvan. That the act is perishable does not include that the efficient force has been annihilated
66. SA, F.D', Revelation without a GodKumarila's Theory of Sabdapramanam, in: AMALORPAVADASS, D.S., (ed.), Research Seminar on Non-Biblical Scriptures, Bangalore, 1974, p. 478 (Quoted henceforth: SA, F.D.', Revelation.). 67. S. Bh. 2.1.4 (see text p. 138). 68. "The aprva charged with the task of relating the sacrificial act to its ultimate result is the minimum that he had to suppose in order to sustain his system in order to assure the unconditional validity of the revelation. One could say of it that it is a pure relation" (BIARDEAU, M., Theorie, p. 93). 69. S. Bh. 2.1.5 (see text p. 139).
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without having fulfilled its function. Words denoting activity (bhva) do not stop their function by the mere utterance. Also the implication of doing or becoming in the verbs has not been limited by the perishing of the act without having brought something into existence. Bhvan, which is clearly recognizable through the conjugational affix of the term 'bhvayef ('should bring into existence') denotes the human agent and the connected "bringing into existence". This gives support to the continuation and operation of what the implied result is, namely the fulfilment of the act. The immediate result of bhvan as the efficient force leading to the fulfilment of a sacrificial act is not the intended svarga, but aprva. When an action is directed towards an invisible result (except when the action serves as a preparatory or a subservient purpose), there is aprva. It is a result of bhvan too, that sacrificial materials have a function in the sacrificial act. No aprva is involved in any function which produces only a visible result. Since the invisible aprva comes into existence through bhvan by visible means, namely sacrificial material, the whole sacrificial act which perishes is presupposed. Thus the invisible is supported by dr$ta, although this support does not last. In other words the dr$ta has not the permanence which is required to bring into existence the desired result itself (svarga). Only aprva actually comes into existence and aprva cannot by any means be anticipated. Thus the support to aprva by drta is only known by inference. It is perhaps more adequate to say that aprva is due to the condition set by dr$ta (i.e., dravya and man in a sacrificial act). In fact, since the desired svarga is not achieved by the mere completion of the sacrificial act, it might be said that a radically new aspect (aprva) is involved through the sacrificial achievement. Svarga is only indirectly involved as the sacrificial aim. It has still to be achieved, as it is only enjoyed by the agent of the sacrificial act after death. Aprva has its own existence. It cannot be grasped or confined within the visible dimension of reality. Therefore the question about its existence or destruction, when svarga is realized is a futile one. All pros and cons for its permanent existence are mere speculation. In fact Sabara does not seem to be concerned about it. He only states, that aprva cannot
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be considered as tman, because tman is already found everywhere. There is no possibility either of equating aprva with devat or svarga. Nonetheless the "existence" of aprva comes about as soon as the track of the visibility is lost. And this above all is important to Sahara namely that this independent force aprva exists for man's benefit through the awakening of the efficient force bhvan. In fact at each non-subservient act leading to an invisible result a "different" aprva is at work. Each act has its own distinct aprva with regard to an invisible result.70 Hence aprva does not come into existence unless there is the activity of the sacrifice. When aprva is brought into existence by the proper functioning of the sacrificial act, one can say that aprva is the result of the act. In fact there is an irony involved in the performance of the sacrifice : aprva comes into existence (only) by fulfilling the sacrifice which includes the intended achievement of svarga as its fulfilment. But the existence of svarga cannot be spoken of with reference to the visible reality, nor can svarga be immediately beneficial to thfe sacrifice*. According to Sahara's view of reality the sacrifice seems to be the only act where we can discover a 'creative aspect' within the realm of visibility. One has to keep in mind that sense perception is usually in contact with a 'new entity' after an act has been carried out. The outcome of an act can be recognised in terms of similarity and of difference of entities needed for comparison. It is not so in the sacrificial act in spite of its being a transposition of the substratum from one place to the other. No comparison of entities is possible, because the result of the sacrificial act is invisible. Therefore it is only in this specific context that one can say that Sabara assumes something completely new, which could be called a 'creative aspect', namely aprva. The only authority for this assumption is the Veda, which is sabda.71 This 'creative aspect' is nothing else
70. cf. S. Bh. 2.1.6-7: S. Bh. 2.2.1 (see text p. 139). 71. cf. below pp. 70-84. S. Bh. 2.1.6-7: "By 'codantf (as mentioned in the stra) we say there is aprva. The aprva exists because an action which is to be done is piescribed in the form of *one who desires heaven should sacrifice'. Otherwise the injunction would not make any sense (or be without object)" (see text p. 139).
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than the bringing about of the invisible (svarga). It has its basis in the sacrifice which is in the visible dimension of reality and the visible dimension is said to have a stable order. This stable order is somehow set aside by aprva and hence it is called 'creative'. Something new arises, which has no equal in man's experience. Hence the invisible is 'revealed', but no new qualities hidden in an object or event are revealed. The visible and invisible are still two dimensions of reality and not of a particular object. The 'creative aspect' cannot be bhvan in general nor the sacrificial act in particular. One cannot speak of a human or divine being or power, which is creative, nor does tman become a creative agent. Creativity is here equated with aprva, which in being beyond sense perception is an invisible force. Aprva, the invisible power, not only overcomes the dualistic tension which is probably caused by the rational assumption of temporal and non-temporal or visible and invisible aspects of reality, but it also points to a dimension of reality which is not supposed either by ratio or by perception. No insight into aprva is in fact possible. It cannot be perceived or spoken of. Its invisible power is expressed only negatively, i.e. as aprva, not prva. According to &abara's explanation of reality, aprva performs not only an indispensable function for man's benefit, but it is fundamental to his view of reality. If aprva is considered to be a mere fiction, reality has only one dimension, namely dr$ta. In Sahara's opinion, explanations of reality which exclude aprva, face more difficulty than those faced by himself to explain the function of the sacrifice. Besides, dharma, his main interest would then become meaningless. Without aprva the efforts to reach one's dharma would remain within an already established visible order of the universe. To obtain the highest good in such a way has no basis in experience and it will not be experienced unless one grants the existence of aprva. Thus according to abara, aprva has a real existence and function within reality. Both, drsta and adr$ta are real. If reality has only one dimension, one could say, it remains like a torso, i. e. incomplete and deprived of life. In other words reality is cut
35
into parts, of which the visible ones give rise to invalid concepts of reality. The relevance of perception and sabda is thereby neither recognized nor understood. 3. Assessment of the dr$ta and the adrsta The visible dimension of reality, i.e., drtfa, indicates the significance of language in the sense that the reference to the object must be contained really and not ideally. Language cannot be a construction or production of the human mind. It is not an act of reproduction or image which is left behind by a sensory organ, because that cognition is real sense perception (sat pratyaksam) which appears, when there is contact of the sense organs of a person with the object perceived (tatsamprayoge).12 Hence language and its functioning cannot be based on something which is purely within usan impression that has only to be expressed. For a supporter of Sabara this view of the visible rejects any ground for an idealistic (and metaphysical) view of language and for hermeneutics. However, a "just and correct view" of what is presented (pratyak$a), which has its support in and from the object, seems to be fundamental to language. What seems to be obvious according to Sabara's view of the drsta, which points to the adrtfa dimension of reality, is that language cannot be a mere medium of communication, a transfer of ideas or even a product of the mechanism of speech. The invisible dimension of reality, i.e., adr$ta indicates also the significance of language in the sense that the reference to the invisible must obtain really and not ideally. Adr$ta is within the realm of language, although it cannot be spoken of directly. There is no word which expresses aprva (what did not exist before, what is new). One can only point to or indicate this invisible force by its negative term aprva. Nevertheless aprva is integrated in language through bhvan (efficient force), from which it can arise as something radically new and unforeseen. The explanation of devat, whose presence is manifested only through the word (sabd), shows clearly that the devat's
72.
S. Bh. 1.1.5
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presence is not within sense perception. Its presence, however, is no less significant in speech. Svarga (happiness/heaven), which is the desire of all men cannot be actually described in terms of speech. Nevertheless, its presence is supported by aprva and is anticipated through the sacrificial act where it is not withheld within language in the sense that svarga is expressed as a wish of man and as a forthcoming result of the sacrifice. As the adrsta, the invisible, is within the realm of language, language cannot be based only on the contact between man and an object which is bound to the visible. In other words, language is not only structured by sense perception which has no direct access to adrsta. The sacrificial act wherein adrsfa is present and 'at work' through the devat and aprva, indicates that language cannot be analysed in terms proper to the information theory of language, which consists: "in the reporting of events, the description of objects, the formulation of theoretical hypotheses, the statement of experimental findings and the handling of data." 73 The information theory of language presupposes only sense perception, in which adrsta cannot be accounted for. All information strictly speaking, belongs to the dimension of visibility, i.e. based on finite media which are not adrsta. On the other hand, there is no indication in Sbara Bhsya which could lead to the assumption that language has its origin in adrsfa. Neither aprva nor devat create language. Besides Sahara's explanation of devat does not support the view that language is divine. What comes to the fore in this analysis of reality is that pratyaksa is only in direct contact with the visible dimension of reality, while language encompasses both dimensions of reality, drsta and adrsta. The fact that sabda is directly related
73. LADRTERE, J., The Performativity of Liturgical Language, in: Concilium 2 (1973) No. 9, pp. 50-62, p. 51.
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to both these dimensions is of crucial importance for Sahara in understanding reality. It has hermeneutical consequences. The way in which the hermeneutical problem comes into the right focus depends on Sahara's view of language. In other words, does an assessment of language present Sahara's view of reality ? Thus it is important how to understand Sahara's view of reality through the assessment of language.
CHAPTER III
SABARA'S VIEW OF LANGUAGE : SABDA AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
The investigation into drsta and adrsta as they are presented by Sabara, seems to rule out any possibility of any existence which is beyond the reality which he speaks of. Reality itself is within the reach of language which cannot be apart from this reality itself. This is the case because for Sabara the two dimensions of reality as drsta and adrsta entail and encompass everything. Nonetheless for Sabara the question of reality is not a simple problem. It is complex insofar as his explanation rests not only on sense perception (pratyaksa), but is also based on the Vedas which are recognised by him as sruti ('hearing', 'revelation'). Hence, his explanation of reality and language has already presumed the function of language itself and this is the major problem Sabara is faced with. The validity of his thesis on dharma is entirely based on the Veda, when he supports the stra : "Dharma is the object that is indicated by the Vedic injunctions."1 According to Sbara Bhsya one actually knows dharma, "because there is'instruction' (upadesa); instruction stands for the speaking of a particular set of words."2 One also knows acts which are not known by sense perception and other means of knowledge, as for example, anumna (inference), upamna (comparison), arthpatti (presumption) and abhva (negation,
1. Mi. s. 1.1.2 (see text p. 127). 2. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 127),
Sahara's View of Language
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non-existence, absence) , 3 but only through instruction, i.e. it ultimately implies Vedic injunction. Hence one could say that the understanding of reality and especially the knowledge of dharma and whatever is not visible ultimately falls: within the function of language. Language is the primordial mystery oa which Sabara throws some light through his careful explanation of sabda. Sabda is the focus of the whole problem of reality and language and ironically it is the key to the problem of reality and language. Thus it is of no less importance for hermeneutics. 1. Sabda
The incapability of translating sabda into another language by a single term is the main difficulty of any investigation into sabda. Hence various terms in English may illuminate some aspects of sabda and only the comprehension of all these terms together leads to an understanding of the inherent multidimensional meaning of the single word lsabda\ Consequently iabda can be represented especially by the terms 'sound', 'noise' and 'speech', but sabda also connotes terms such as 'phoneme', 'vowel', 'word', 'resonance', 'language'(primordial and human), 'unity of sense/signs/language', 'manifestation of a word' etc. A few examples of the many found in Sbara Bhsya may briefly illustrate the complex use of sabda : sabda : sound /phoneme/ word as physical reality "The sabda may be the product of air (yyukranaka): in fact it is air which, through certain conjunctions and disjunctions, becomes the sabda*>4 sabda : noise, sound "sabdam kuru" (make a noise, produce a sound) 5 sabda : phoneme
3. Cf. S. Bh. 1.1.5. The quotation of the Vrttikra in this context suggests that Sabara has endorsed the view of Vrttikra who refers to six pramnas. G.P. BHATT has already pointed out "that Dr. Jha's rendering of the term 'upamna* as 'analogy' is quite misleading" {Epistemology pp. 293294). 4. S. Bh. 1.1.22 (see text p. 139). cf. also S. Bh. 1.1.6-7, 13,15, 17. 5. S. Bh. 1.1.14 (see text p. 139). cf. also S. Bh. 1.1.8.
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Hermeneutics and Language "It is another phoneme, (yarnntaram) " says the stra 1.1.16, but Sahara comments : "The y is another sabda as the /" (sabdntaram)* sabda : word, term "the word cow" (go sabda)7 sabda : phoneme, 'what is heard', term "Among the people the term sabda (sabdasabdah) is applied to what is apprehended by the ear; and in this case the said letters (i.e. a reference to ga-kara etc.) are what are apprehended by the ear" 8 (cf. Sabara speaks of 'varna' and 'padtf in the same context). sabda : sound, vowel, noise, resonance (which is not accepted by Sahara), term "It has been argued by the opponent that 'when several people are beating the bheri (drum) or pronounce a word (sound, vowel; i.e. raise their voice) (sabdam), one perceives a big noise (mahhsabda) and one concludes there is an augmentation of the particles of sound (sabda) with each person. In fact it is not so. Sabda has no parts as it is shown by the fact that we cannot perceive a division of parts and as it (namely sabda) is without parts, no (variable) extension of it is possible. Hence there is no augmentation of sabda. It is soft (when pronounced)by one man, when there are several people these same phonemes (aksarni), on account of being taken up continuously by conjunctions and disjunctions (ripples) which fill all the space in the ear-cavity, come to be heard as 'augmented', and having parts. The conjunctions and disjunctions which are produced continuously in such a way and manifest sabda are denoted by the term nda (resonance) (ndasabdavcyh). Hence the augmentation
6. 7. 8.
S. Bh. 1.1.16 (see text p. 139). S. Bh. 1.1.20 (see text p. 139). S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 127).
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(mentioned above) depends on resonance and not on sabda"* sabda : mere enunciation; permanent unity "The sabda (pronounced) yesterday has perished". Sahara opposes this view and shows sabda as a unity of signs/sense/language, "because it has not perished." 10 The difficulty of translating a text from one language into another is only an extreme case of the problem of communication itself. Communication is not a mere problem of the correct mastery of language, but one of accurate mutual understanding which takes place through the medium of a language.11 A classical example of the problem of communication and understanding in its relation to language as such is found in Sahara Bhsya in a very complex discussion over sabda. The opponent of Sahara often insists on sabda as a physical reality, whereas Sabara speaks of sabda as a signifying unit. One gets the impression that two different levels of speech are presupposed, although there is no distinction in Sbara Bhsya between the ontological presumption of the opponent and the epistemological one of Sabara. Consequently the focus of sabda seems to have converged arguments that are apparently based on different levels from which different aspects of sabda are explained. However, the problem of communication with reference to the ontological and epistemological levels is not directly noticed in the elaborate discussion on sabda in Sbara Bhsya. Sabara and his opponent discuss the question of sabda in such a way that although in general both of them speak of sabda, yet in particular each presents different aspects of sabda.
9. S. Bh. 1.1.17 (see text p. 139). 10. S. Bh. 1.1.20 (see text p. 140). 11. With reference to philosophical translations N.S.S. RAMAN significantly points out: "...broadly speaking, translations are interpretations and interpretations are translations. ... it is a mistake to suppose that given mastery of two languages, one could effortlessly translate from one language to the other, even supposing at the same time, that the translator has a sound philosophical knowledge". (RAMAN, N.S.S., The Problem of Philosophical Translation, in Indian Philosophical Annual, Vol. VII, 1971, 1-14, p. 3.)
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It seems that one would misinterpret Sahara's view of sabda, if one splits the epistemological and ontological dimensions, or if one ignores some aspects of the multidimensional meaning of sabda in Sahara's explanation. A distinction between 'thought' and * being itself' made in any analysis is a mere construction for Sahara, because for him no being-in-itself (in the Western sense) can be cognised. Things are as they are cognised12 and cognition through inference is based on a perceived relationship.13 There is no reliability, if one separates 'thought' from 'being', if one distinguishes between ontology and epistemology as separate levels each having its own independent value and function. One cannot trace in Sbara Bhsya the ontologicalepistemological distinction which arises from discursive thought. Besides the opponent's view of sabda is on the dr^fa-level of reality. According to Sabara, sabda cannot be comprehended in its multidimensionality unless considered with reference to reality as a whole, which for him includes the adrjta. In this sense the opponent's view of sabda falls short of an adequate representation of the multidimensional sabda in not taking into account the adrtta. What is important to note is that sabda cannot be split into a physical reality or into a signifying unit, but that it encompasses both aspects as a consequence of which it obtains its inherent multidimensionality. 2. The autpattika, nitya, apauruseya Characteristics According to ML s. 1.1.5 "the relation between sabda and (its) object is autpattika"1* The derivation of autpattika from ut-patti (arising, birth, production, origin)15 indicates that the term autpattika is confined to production and birth, for
12. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 127). 13. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 127). G.P. BHATT points out: "Sahara's definition of inference should be formulated thus: 'When the perception of one term of a well-known relationship leads to the cognition of the other term of that relationship, which latter is not in contact with the person's sense-organs, this second cognition is called inference'" {Epistemology; p. 207). 14. Mi. s. 1.1.5 (see text p. 127). 15. MONIER-WILLIAMS Dictionary, p. 180 col. 3.
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example, if a word denotes an object, then the relation between sabda and object is immediately born. In other words, the relation between sabda and the object or vice versa is originally existent, namely it is autpattika. Although the term autpattika points clearly to the origin of any object with reference to sabda and vice versa, there is no evidence that the term autpattika in this context involves any human or divine creativity nor does it suggest that this original relation has to be considered as being eternal. &abara comments on this relation: "Autpattikawhat we mean by this is 'nitya*. It is 'origin' that is indirectly spoken of as existence (presence). It is the existence, inseparable from the word and the object, that constitutes the relation and there is no relation (made, constituted) after both of them have been produced." 16 In other words, autpattika points to an understanding of the origin of sabda and artha (object) in the sense that both of them are brought about simultaneously. There is no connection (sarpbandhd) by subsequently attributing sabda to an object or vice versa. There is not initially a being and subsequently sabda or vice versa with reference to objects. Whenever sabda is present, then whatever is related to it exists as well. Everything originates in and with sabda and not through any general agreement or consent, i.e. sabda does not rely on convention. It is insignificant, whether the object of sab da belongs to the visible or invisible dimension of reality. Although the invisible cannot be spoken of as perceptible, nonetheless it is related to sabda, because the realm of sabda operates beyond the realm of sense perception. Sabda and its object are co-existent in and through their immediate and inborn relation. Sabda, insofar as it inevitably connotes an object, is in this sense autpattika. In the above quotation it is evident that Sabara mentions another characteristic of the sabdajobject relation, namely nitya. BIARDEAU makes a very valuable comment in this context: "The term nitya does here not connote eternity nor does it even specifically refer to permanence; one would be more
16. S, Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 128).
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Herrneneutics and Language tempted to evoke its original sense as 'proper', 'personal', equivalent to sva, as Hara has well enlightened us on the matter (2); then nitya would designate more a kind of extrinsic appropriation, the strictly parallel formation of two entities with a different nature, than an internal exigency svbhvikaof the object that would require the word." 17
Consequently in this context the term nitya does not seem primarily to point out any qualification of existence in terms of time or the exclusion of the latter, but it stresses emphatically that sabda is never outside of or apart from the autpattika relation. Whereas the Nyya-Vaisesika view for example assumes a substance being deprived of any quality in its first moment of existence, Sabara strictly excludes any process, which is actually analysed in 'discontinued moments' and which might lead to or deprive sabda of the autpattika relation at a certain stage. It seems that for Sabara it is proper {nitya) to sabda and the object (arthd) that they are in an autpattika relation which belongs especially (nitya) to the very nature of both of them. Sabda, insofar as it inevitably connotes the nitya characteristic of the sabda/objcct relation, can itself be characterised as nitya. A third characteristic is mentioned in the same context. "The relation between sabda and the object is apaurweya."18 In fact "when sabda is known, the object is known." 19 There is no intermediary function needed to establish this relation. It is a natural connection which is autpattika and nitya. Thus Sabara refutes the argument that this relation is created or produced by anyone and calls it apauru?eya. Apauru$eya indicates that it has no human source. It is obvious that Sabara does not mean divine by apauruseya, as it can be seen from his explanation of devat.20 Nor does he use the term purusa as encompassing gods and men, as it can be seen from the use of the term by rsis. There is no doubt that in Sabara Bhsya the
17. 18. 19. 20.
BIARDEAU, M., Theorie, pp. 156-157. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 128). S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 128). cf. above Chapt. II, See 2 (ii)
45
term apauru$eya means neither human nor divine. Sabda, insofar as one cannot trace any creation with regard to the relation between sabda and object, is in this sense apauruseya. Although sabda is clearly characterised by its relation with the object it refers to and is consequently characterised by autpattika, nitya and apauruseya, Sabara further clarifies the characteristic of sabda in its relation to what may be called origin and function. According to Sabara the assumption of a creator or promulgator of the autpattikajnitya relation is untenable. The thesis about the relation being autpattika "is established, because the relation cannot be the work of anyone (apauruseyatvt)."21 In fact Sabara mentions especially that nobody can remember any creator of the relationship between sabda and its object.22 Besides "a certain usage becomes possible, only when there is an agreement between the creator and the adopter of the usage and not when there is disagreement between them." 23 Furthermore Sabara says that technical terms coined by Pnini and Pingala are not based on any natural relation, but that they are artificially coined. They cannot be understood without reference to the specific use of the technical terms by the authors concerned. Sabara refers to Pnini's stra l.l.l. : "The term vrddhi stands for the letters t and aid" as a good illustration of such conventional relationship, where the object ât-aic* of the term vrddhi (vrddhisabda) cannot be understood apart from the specific reference to the use of the terms as coined/created by the author, i.e. the relation between vrddhi and the vowels
21. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 128). 22. S. MURTY adds: "His immediate commentator, Sahara, commenting on that stra, says that jast as the Himalayas are not remembered to have been made by anyone, words and their relations also were not fixed by anyone. This implies that like the Himalayas (and the world), words and their meanings are natural and uncreated. We are left to conjecture whether Sabara believed in a God who is not a creator, or in a supreme tman." (Revelation, p. 190). However, it may be said with reference to the invisible dimension of reality that Sabara did not and could not point out any divine function of a creator. 23. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 128).
46
ai, au cannot be understood without reference to the use of them by Pnini himself.24 However, it would be absurd to accept that a certain convention is based on one or many (creative) authors at the same time, so that the relation would receive a universal acceptance at any place.2^ Besides this convention cannot be communicated apart from sabda which is thereby presupposed.26 To Sahara it seems impossible that such a creator of the relation could have been forgotten and even if that would be the case, he says, "we could not admit a creator of the relation unless there were proofs for it."27 His argument is mainly based on his perception of the use of language, where he says : "One teaches (the relation) as something already established (siddha)."28 "One sees when adults use words for their object (or for their purpose) that the children listen and recognize directly the object (in front of their eyes). When these adults were young, they (learnt it) from other adults and those again from others; there is no beginning (to,this process)."29 "There is never a moment when the relation has been totally absent, (i.e.,) when a sabda has never been related to any object. Why so ? Because the creation of the relation would be impossible itself. One who creates a relation necessarily makes use of some word in order to create it. Who would have created (the relation) of this (word) which he would make use of ? If one says, somebody else has created it, then by whom is that one (made) and again that one ? One does not reach any end. Who has created a relation therefore must admit necessarily that there are some words of which the relation has not been
24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29.
S. S. S. S. S. S.
Bh. Bh. Bh. Bh. Bh. Bh.
1.1.5 1.1.5 1.1.5 1.1.5 1.1.5 1.1.5
(see text p. 128). (see text p. 128). Serial No. 30. (see text p. 128). (see text p. 128). (see text p. 129).
47
created and they are already (established) in the usage of the adults." 30 Although all the reasons pointed out by Sabara seem to be concerned with the non-existence of any creative function by which one can conclude a conventional relation between sabda and its object, he himself gives evidence only for a permanent use of sabda and its related object. He shows thereby that sabda has a referential capacity which is not at random. No creator of the relation between sabda and its object appears in this permanent usage. Thus one cannot say that the relation has been established by anyone at any time. Sabara shows positively only the referential capacity of sabda and its object, and this does not necessitate the eternity or permanence of the said relation itself. Permanence, however, may be said to underly his explanation. However, it is noteworthy that Sabara denies sabda as a mere sign which is operative by virtue of being within a system of signs and symbols produced by anyone. This can be seen clearly from his example of Pnini as the originator of technical terms. Consequently the assumption that the autpattikajnitya relation bears the characteristic of being apauru$eya remains valid for Sabara and characterises sabda itself. Hence origin and function of sabda are never within any human or divine creativity or productivity, i.e. always within apauruseyatvam, based on his experience of the permanent use of the sabda/ object relation. 3. The Role of krti and of the Specific Set of Phonemes The characteristics of sabda with regard to function and origin are further explained by referring to the object which is related to sabda. It is evident that Sabara excludes the view that the proper object of sabda could be an idea of a thing, 31 although this is implied by Sahara's opponent who argues: "By their nature object and sabda {sahdrthau) are not related because of the fact that we perceive sabda (word) in the
30. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 129). 31. cf. above p. 42.
48
Hermeneutics and Language mouth (i.e. being pronounced) and the object on the ground (i.e. without affecting one's mouth, without permanent relation) and because people clearly make such a distinction as 'this is a word (sabda) and not the object (artha), this is the object, not the word {sabda)' and because there is a difference of form : one pronounces the word 'cow* (gam iti imam sabdam) and one understands an object with dewlap etc." 32
Sabara spares no effort to show that the object is not a production conjured up by the mind, but that the object is necessarily related to and not separated from sabda and from reality itself. When he refers to the object, he introduces the term krti ('specific form'BIARDEAU, 'Gestalt'FRAUWALLNER) : "What is the object of the word 'cow' ? We say it is the (specific) formkrtiparticularized by the dewlap etc." 33 For Sabara the proper object of sabda is krti. krti is neither the class (jti) nor the individual (vyakti)** According to Sabara krti cannot be separated from nor equated with the class and the individual. However, it is important to note that &abara always maintains that krti as proper object is permanently related to sabda,35 i.e. krti coexists with sabda and
32. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 129). 33. &. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 129). 34. M. BIARDEAU shows in a convincing way that it is not clear that the early Mimms held the view that the meaning of a word refers to the universal and not to the individual. However, F. D'SA is correct, insofar as he says: "It is Kumrila who for the first time explains what this krthih (= universal) is. "It (is the species (=jti-) (that) men call krtih, (namely that) through which an individual is substantially formed (kryate) ...' (SF krtivdah v3-4ab)" (see text p. 140). (SA, F.D\ krtivdah: The meaning of a word is per se universal, in: Revelation p. 476). Nonetheless, one cannot say that jti and krti are the same for Sabara, as M. BIARDEAU has shown in her erudite study "U object du mot, in: BIARDEAU, M., Theorie, pp. 161-177. 35. S. Bh. 1.1.19: "Whenever the word *cow* (gosabda) is uttered there is a notion of all the cows. From this it follows that (we say) it denotes the (specific) form (krti). And it is not possible to create the relation
49
is not dependent on any conventional relation. It is interesting to see that krti is actually perceived.36 Consequently it is something which is accomplished (siddha)37 and known in the realm of perception as well. Actually what happens is that the specific form, namely krti, is known in every case of perception, for example with reference to cows as a class or as individuals, as is pointed out in Sahara Bhsya 1. 1. 19.38 In a very complex discussion (S. Bh. 1. 3. 33) he points out that krti is present and represented through visesana which could be translated as a distinguishing, qualifying factor, which enables us to cognize the individual object (for example dewlap etc. as characteristic of cow). Sabara says that any specific object is known, because one already knows vise?ana, i.e. krti. In the context of language krti is the direct and proper object of sabda, "because the word (sabda) is the reason (nimittam) for the cognition of the (specific) form (krti) and the cognition of krti is the reason for the cognition of the individual."40 Consequently krti is the distinguishing factor of various objects and on account of this it simultaneously integrates the individual specified objects into a class (jti), by which krti gets the feature of being smnya, i.e. being a common feature of a class. In other words krti as the qualifying factor functions in a comprehensive way whereby the individual is recognised. Thus it functions in an extensive way as an integrating factor to enable the view of a
between the word and the (specific) form (krty sabdasya). Because the creator would establish the relation after having pointed out the krti; or there are many forms within an individual cow (lit. the body of a cow). How will he indicate the separated form which is to be expressed by the word cow without having a word? If however the word cow is permanent (nityd), when it is spoken out several times as it has been previously heard as applied to other individual cows, it makes known by positive and negative concomitance that it expresses the (specific) form (cow). For this reason also it is nitya" (see text p. 140). 36. S. Bh. 1.3.33 (Serial No. 41). 37. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 129). 38. S. Bh. Serial No. 35. 39. S. Bh. 1.3.33 (see text p. 140). 40. S. Bh. 1.3.33 (see text p. 140).
50
specific class of specified individuals. krti, consequently, determines both the individual and the class. However, krti is always concrete insofar as it is never isolated from the individual with which it is in real contact, i.e., it does not exist as a mere form of thought which could give rise to an erroneous cognition of an individual or a class. krti as the proper object of sabda is in contact with sabda and the individual object according to Sabara : "One cannot say, if the krti is known through the word (sabda), that the individual is object of the word as well (padrtha), Why ? This is because the krti is always in relation with the individual (nityasambaddha) and when one of the terms of the relation, krti, is known (avagatym) then the other term is known as well (avagamyate). This is evident in itself that if a word (sabda) is spoken out, an individual is known. But is it known from the word (sabda) or the (specific) form (krti) ? The distinction is not directly perceivable. It becomes intelligible through similarity and difference. One who cognises the krti even without the word (antarenpi sabdam) he necessarily cognises the individual whilst one who, affected by a mental derangement, will not grasp anything of the krti, when the word (sabda) is uttered, he will not cognise the individual either/' 41 Hence, Sabara makes it very clear that if krti is known (avagatym), then the related and corresponding part, namely the individual, is also known (avagamyate). Consequently the vise$ana (specific characteristic) which is krti is by its very nature related to concrete reality. There is no doubt for Sabara that krti is real. Its imperceivability occurs when there is a mental defect which results in erroneous perception. There is a close link between language and perception through the object (krti) of sabda, but the cognition of any individual object itself is always due to this krti. In other words there is neither
41.
S. Bh. 1.3.33-(see text p. 140).
tabard's View of Language
51
perception nor language which necessarily relies on sabda without the (specific) form, i.e. vise$anaj krti. Whatever can be distinguished and qualified (viiesya) can be pointed out by the (specific) form (krtijvisetana), although the latter cannot be separated from the distinguished entity itself (visifta), since one who knows the krti knows the individual.42 In fact constant use of sabda (word) and experience helps in the understanding of what the krti is, since krti is within the realm of perception. The specific form is always present, whenever sabda and/or perception is a means of knowledge. Although the use of sabda illustrates that sabda manifests the krti and not the individual object, it does not at all mean that either sabda or krti depends on the actual individual usage or experience.43 Sabda, for example, is applied even to a newborn calf which has never been seen before, nor has the word 'cow' (gosabda) been applied previously to the newborn calf. "This is why it is impossible to resort to actual usage in order to say that the word cow expresses the individual" (gosabdo vyaktivacana).u This emphasizes that for &abara the object of sabda does not depend on actual experience. If this were not the case then sabda would depend on experience and as a consequence of this sabda would not only rely on convention, but would also lead to inconsistency as in the case of sabda with reference to cow/calf. This view of krti seems neither to contradict nor to surpass Sahara's explanation of perception nor his outline of the autpattikay nitya and apauruseya relation between sabda and artha (object). krti is not another object as against or opposed to artha, nor is it only a subordinate part of the object (artha) related to sabda itself. The way in which Sahara illuminates artha is by explaining krti as the proper object of sabda. Moreover only nouns, which are capable of expressing entities, indicate the realm of visibility (dr$ta) and hence injunctive words do not and cannot express the proper object, namely krti.^
42. 43. 44. 45. S. S. S. S. Bh. Bh. Bh. Bh. 1.3.33 1.3.33 1.3.33 1.3.16 (see (see (see (see text text text text p. p. p. p. 140). 141). 141). 141).
52
Consequently insofar as the drsta dimension of reality is concerned, it is evident for Sahara that reality is presented by krti only through nouns. However, a problem seems to arise with regard to the adrtfa dimension of reality since Sahara does not seem to throw any light on krti in its function in the adr$ta dimension. Hence prima facie one may draw several conclusions with reference to krti and the adr$ta dimension of reality : a) Sahara considers krti irrelevant to the adrsta dimension, b) that krti does not at all exist in the adr$ta dimension, c) that krti does not in fact operate in the adrsta dimension or d) that in the adr$ta dimension the function or role of krti is ineffable. However, what is important to bear in mind at this stage is that Sabara mentions objects of the adr$ta dimension using nouns like devat, svarga, karman etc.; moreover one has to recall as well Sahara's view of the apauru?eya relation between sabda and its object : "With regard to an imperceivable object for example deity etc. it is useless and impossible to create a name (saipjn). Proper names in fact are made in order to know (things) in their particular features (visefd) and in reference to these particularities (visefips coddisya). When the particularities are unknown, both is (considered to be) impossible. Consequently the relation between the word and the object (sabdasya arthena) is apauru$eya" According to Sabara it is futile to look for any conventional effort with regard to the origin of the relation, as it would involve a distinct knowledge of an object of the invisible dimension of reality. Actually the specific, particular distinction (yisesa) is a constituent element of creating this relation. Vise?a (specific, particular form) and sarnjn (its proper name) do not bear any visible and experienceable ground for anyone who would create the mutually corresponding relation with regard to the adr$ta dimension of reality.47 For example devat is not
46. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 129). 47. cf. for example Sahara's explanation of agnijfire and agni\devat% see above pp. 25-27.
53
known in the adrsta dimension of reality as a consequence of which any specific form and name is unreliable in the human endeavour, which pretends to know the invisible object which is not within sense perception, However, Sabara does not say that sabda has no visesa, i.e. there is no krti in the adrsta dimension, but it is evident that krti cannot be perceived and consequently cannot be spoken of in a distinct particular way. Nonetheless Sabara maintains that there is a relation between sabda and its object in both the drsta and adrsta dimensions and calls the relation apauruseya. krti as a specific form of the invisible dimension cannot be discussed, because it is imperceivable and hence not at our disposal for purposes of description. However, Sabara sees no reason to abandon completely krti, adrsta or sabda. Moreover, he sees no reason to explain the krti of devat in any concrete way, simply because there is no concrete information available apart from their presence in and through sabda. Sabda has its support in the invisible as is known from inference based on perception in the visible dimension of reality. Thus Sabara does neither bind nor restrict sabda and its object to the manifested and experienceable world which is only one dimension of reality as a whole. In fact he does not and cannot deny krti for the adrsta dimension without restricting sabda only to the drsta dimension. This conforms with his view that if there is any available reason for anything to exist, then its existence cannot be denied even though it cannot be perceived. However, it is evident for him that one cannot describe the invisible; the krti of the invisible dimension is not at our disposal in which sense it is ineffable. BIARDEAU clearly characterises krti, when she points out: "The krti ('specific form') appears so like a privileged support of the word in the real, but on the other hand language, which is 'already there' as such, is the only means to refer to it practically in a safe way. It is the real, the most pregnant and to such an extent that one can perceive it even on the level of the individual. ,." 48
48. BIARDEAU, M., Theorie, p. 165.
54
BIARDEAU further characterizes krti as being a "mediator between the real in general ard human activity" and also as a "mediator between men and the entire expression through language."49 This point is well made and leaves no doubt that language with reference to sab da and akrti has an instrumental character of mediation, but one has to be careful not to overstress akrti as mediator. An overemphasis on akrti as a mediating function simplifies and falsifies the view of akrti as proper object and sabda as signifying unit. In fact akrti with regard to language would function on its own and sabda would possess merely a referential capacity for krti as the mediator. In other words, sabda becomes only a means which contains the mediating krti and serves only as an analytical function to show the theoretical and practical value of krti. An overemphasis on the practical mediating function of krti seems to have only a theoretical value of sabda. Hence with regard to language it would mean that we are aware of krti through experience and inference (based on perception)50 and that it would function as mediator independently of sabda. In analytically investigating krti and sabda one can trace a mediating function of krti, but it does not give evidence of the fact that krti alone is the mediator between sabda and reality on the one hand and human involvement on the other. One has to bear in mind that krti is related to sabda and the individual object. It is on account of this relation that one can conclude that krti is a presence which itself is real, though its presence cannot be perceived like an object which is at hand. Consequently and on account of the fact that the whole realm of sabda cannot be perceived, one cannot attribute the mediating function primarily either to sabda or krti. The mediating function however seems to lie within the relation of sabda and krti. With regard to language, there seems to be a mutual response between the two oa
49. BIARDEAU, M., Theorie, p. 165-166. 50. cf. S. Bh. 1.1.5: "(The inference) or relation is known through direct perception, e.g., where one knows the krti of fire from seeing the krti (of) 'smoke'" (see text p. 130).
55
account of which the object becomes manifest. It seems that in language krti confirms nothing else than thai sabda makes manifest the dr$ta dimension of reality on the one hand and only points to the adr$ta dimension on the other. Hence an overemphasis on krti as mediator would ignore the importance of the autpattika relation between sabda and its object. Thus the presence of krti is always brought about by the relation of sabda and reality itself. It is difficult to maintain that Sabara would have to attribute a mediating function only to the proper object, krti, at the exclusion of sabda. Any reference to mediation in making manifest an object will have to take into account the relation of both sabda and krti. According to Sabara, sabda and krti with regard to origin and function are and remain coexistent. There can be no idealistic explanation involved and all illusion connected with the Sabdajkrti relation is a result of human (mental) defect. Nonetheless sabda and krti maintain their revealing and indicating function on account of which the visible and the invisible becomes present each in its own particular way. Moreover, because of this function it becomes evident that sabda is never apart from reality as a whole of which it is in fact a 'part'. Besides, the permanence of the sabda/krti relation does not seem to confirm prima facie any absolute eternity involved in the relation. However, Sbara Bhsya 1.1.19 which refers to krti with regard to class (jti) and individual (vyakti) characterizes the , word 'cow' (gosabda) as nitya.51 It seems that the krtijiabda relation is at stake if sabda itself is not permanent or eternal. It is relevant in this context to consider carefully Bhsya 1.1.5 which is especially concerned with the nature of sabda with reference to the word 'cow' (gosabda) in order to show the significance of a permanent or eternal characteristic of sabda. The significant question and answer of the passage is : "When one says 'gauh' (cow) what is sabda ? 'G, au, h, says the revered Upavarsa." 52
51. cf. Serial No. 35: S. Bh. 1.1.19. 52. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 130).
56
It is important to note that the phonemes are stressed, because there is no cognition of the object without the presence of phonemes with regard to sabda,hZ Moreover, according to Sabara, the cognition of the object depends on the perception of the whole arrangement of the phonemes,54 which are actually the reason for the cognition of the object.55 Hence Sahara concludes with regard to the term 'cow' (gosabda) : "One does not perceive a word gauh which is different from the phoneme 'g etc.', as one does not see the difference and one sees the non-difference. The phonemes 'g etc' are really perceived. Consequently the word (pada) beginning with 'g' and ending with the visarga, namely gauh, (cow) are phonemes. There is nothing which is apart from these (phonemes) and is called word (pada)" The word 'cow' (gosabda) is comprehended as a specific set of phonemes which is exclusively sabda in that it does not constitute any other entity apart from the entity of sabda. The phonemes are fundamental to any cognition through language, as cognition rests on the actual presence of phonemes. In fact, it is only the specific set of phonemes which gives access to knowledge of the object referred to by the sabda, even if !abara replaces sabda by the term pada (word). 3abara refers to grammatically relevant distinctions, for example the one between word and phonemes, when they support his view of sabda or when he is compelled by his opponent to consider any specific reference. He often freely uses terms like ak$ara, kra9 varna, sabda and pada within the same context.57
53. S. Bh. 1.1.5: "The phonemes are not the reason of a secondary sense, because the (cognition) is present on account of their presence and absent on account of their absence" (see text p. 130). 54. S. Bh. 1.1.5: "There is no fault, if one says that the last letter, supported by the arrangement which occurs through the previous phonemes, makes known (the object)" (see text p. 130). 55. S. Bh. 1.1.5: "On account of the phonemes there is an arrangement and because of the arrangement there is the cognition of the object. Hence the phonemes are the reason for the cognition of the object" (see text p. 130). 56. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 130). 57. Cf. Serial No. 56: S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 130).
57
The extent of Sahara's primary concern with sabda can be illustrated with reference to the ancient problem of 'modification of phonemes' which was relevant to the grammarians. Although stra 1.1.16 says, "it is another phoneme, not a modification,"68 Sabara comments that "the y is another sabda as the i'."69 In spite of the fact that the stra raises the problem of varya, Sabara speaks here of another sabda. The same concern wi^th sabda is expressed in his comment on 'similarity' (sdrsya) of words. If sabda would rely on similarity, one runs the risk of being mistaken, as for example the term mala (garland) could be understood as sl (house).60 In other words, if the arrangement of phonemes is changed or disrupted, it does not form the iabda or one might be mistaken as regards the intended object of the word. Actually the correct set of phonemes distinguishes iabda as being the proper word (sdhusabda) from any corrupted form (apabhramsa) of it. Gvi, gonU gopotalik are considered to be corrupted forms of the correct wordgauh (cow). 61 Sabara does not deny the possibility of correct cognition of an intended object in spite of the use of a corrupted form of the sabda. This may be possible, because of a basically phonetic resemblance between the correct sabda (sdhusabda) and the corrupted form of it (apabhramsa) .62 Certainty of correct cognition of the (intended) object is possible only through the proper use of sabda. The correct word has been handed down through generations without any interruption and this may not be the case as far as corrupted words are concerned.63 The pronouncing
58. Mi. s. 1.1.16 (see text p. 141). 59. S. Bh. 1.1.16 (see text p. 141). 60. S. Bh. 1.1.18 (see text p. 141). 61. Cf. S. Bh. 1.1.18 1.3.24, 26. (see text p. 141). 62. S. Bh. 1.3.29 (see text p. 141). 63. Cf. S. Bh. 1.3.24: "Now is there only one word (namely gosabdd) which has an uninterrupted tradition and expresses the object? Are the others corrupted forms? Or are all (of them) without beginning'? -We (Sahara's opponent) say: 'All of them are...all are correct (sdhvah)... (see text p. 141). This view is objected by Sabara in S. Bh. 1.3.25: "...hence tfvfetc.^ may be the result of a fault and have not necessarily an unbroken tradition . <see text p. 142).
58
of a corrupted word is actually a sign of the incapacity of the speaker to use the correct word.64 Thus Sahara concludes that "there is among those (above quoted words) only one which is without beginning (andi), the others are corrupted." 65 Moreover, he makes it clear that corrupted words are not the same as synonyms of an object, for example 'hasta\ 'kara\ 'pni all of wh'ch refer to hand. "It is known from teaching that the relation with the object of those (words) is beginningless (andi) ,"66 It may be said that synonyms, unlike corrupted words, have an unbroken tradition of their own.67 For Sabara only the correct use and perception of sabda seem to be of great importance. The specific set of phonemes, i.e. sabda, forms the base for any linguistically valid perception and demonstrates the permanent use of sabda. It is significant to note that the phonemes are never explicitly called nitya. Even Bhsya 1.1.16 which says "sabdntaram ikrd yakrah" scarcely throws any light on this problem, as Sabara clearly avoids the problem of modification of phonemes by not stressing the varna at all. In fact in this context the 'y' itself is not a sabda, but belongs to another sabda as does the 'i'. In other words, a single phoneme of a specific set of phonemes which make up a sabda cannot be said to be a sabda itselfit would
R.C. PANDEYA remarks: "There were other languages also that were current at that time. But Samskrit was nearest to the Vedic language and thus its use in rituals was permitted. The use of other languages spoken by the people was not allowed during the religious ceremony. These other languages were called apabhramsa because they were fallen languages. They could not answer to the norm set up by the convention. Samskrit was, therefore, regarded as the standard language to be used during religious performances and it was therefore called as sdhu (standard) language'* (Problem, p. 13). 64. Cf. S. Bh. 1.3.28 (see text p. 142). 65. S. Bh. 1.3.26 (see tQxt p. 142). 66. S. Bh. 1.3.26 (see text p. 142). 67. K.K. RAJA comments: "The problem of synonyms is not very great; for, according to the Indian writers, exact synonyms are rare (3), and there will be shades of difference in the meanings of the so-called synonyms. Popular new forms of old words are taken to be their corruptions (apabhramsa) still certain well-known synonyms had to be accepted".(FN 3: "like hasta, pni and kara for the hand...") (RAJA, K.K., Theories, p. 33).
59
be either a corrupted form of the same sabda or it would form an entirely different sabda. The reason for this is that sabda is always without parts68 and characterised by aikarpya.m It seems to be futile to attempt to trace any explanation of the unchangeable eternal phonemes in the tenets of the early Mimips as presented in Sbara Bhsya. 3abara himself has not paid any special attention to the unchangeable or absolute eternity of phonemes which belongs to the specific insight of Kumrila Bhatta.70 Nonetheless, it is pertinent to our discussion of the relation between phonemes and sabda that &abara speaks of sabda (and rarely pada} as sdhusabda only on account of its specific set af phonemes. Furthermore sabda is said to be andi (without beginning), because one cannot trace any interruption in the permanent use of sabda. There is no beginning as mentioned in Bhsya 1.1.5 as regards the non-conventional relation between sabda and its object.71 The close association of the two passages referring to the beginningless character of sdhusabda (1.3.26) and of the apauruseya character of the object I sabda relation (1.1.5) with reference to an uninterrupted tradition strongly suggests that $abara is not primarily concerned with phonemes insofar as they support or establish the eternity of sabda. Moreover, it is evident that Sahara's emphasis is placed on the significance of phonemes for the cognition of the object and the explanation of the permanent use of sabda with regard to language. If the specific set of phonemes of a sabda is disturbed then the object to which the sabda refers may be misconstrued and also the permanent use of sabda is maintained only by retaining the specific set of phonemes of the particular sabda. Further the theory of sabda is inevitably related to perception through the
68. Cf. S. Bh. 1.1.17: "sabda has no parts (nfravayavo hi sabdah} as it is known by the fact that we cannot perceive a division of parts and as it (namely sabda) is without parts, no (variable) extension of it is possible" (see text p. 142). 69. Cf. S. Bh. 1.1.15 (see text p. 142). 70. cf. Kumrila's Slokavrttika: krtivda 5-7 and sabdanityatdhikarana 290-301 (see text pp. 142-143). 71. S. Bh. 1.1.5 mentions the uninterrupted tradition through generations: "There is no beginning {nsty dir iti). cf. above pp. 46-47.
60
specific set of phonemes of the sab da and is meaningfully based on the grouping or arrangement of the phonemes. Sabda as a signifying unit is based not only on the concrete support through krti in reality,72 but also through the specific set of phonemes which is thereby directly related to the real object. 4. Nityatva, aikarpya, niravayavatva Characteristics
There is no doubt that nityatva (nityat) which in Sanskrit connotes a sense of 'perpetuity', 'continuance' and 'eternity' is a key-term of Sbara Bhsya 1.1.6-23. When in these passages Sabara affirms that sabda is nitya, he speaks with an authority which suggests that his main argument for nityatva has already been established and accepted. This is evident in Bhsya 1.1.12 : "When wecaii speak of the permanence of sabda for a clear reason, then as a consequence of the notion (that sabda is) nitya there will be (the conclusion) that it is manifested by the effort (of pronouncing it)." 73 In fact the specific set of phonemes (sdhusabdd) is linked in this con text of nityatva with the consistent use of these phonemes as sabda (i.e. neither pada nor varnd). Consequently (sabda itself features as a consistent and signifying unit. Sabda can be pronounced several times and at various places and is permanently understood as the same sabda because of this unifying significance. This has already been pointed out by Sabara in the explanation of krti which conforms to the mXya-character of sabda. The relation between sabda and its proper object is presented in the perspective of sabda as a consistent and signifying unit. 74 The coexistence of sabda and its proper object suggests that krti itself has the same value as attributed to sabda which is characterised as nitya. If this is not the case, then one has to deny that there is an autpattika relation between sabda and
72. cf. above pp. 48-55. 73. S. Bh. 1.1.12 (see text p. 143) cf. S. Bh. 1.1.13 (see text p. 144). 74. cf. Serial No. 35 (p. 48): S. Bh. 1.1.19.
Sahara s View of Language
61
krti. In fact krti itself is never called nitya which is perhaps due to the fact that krti is not characterised by aikarpya as is the case with sabda.15 A problem arises, consequently, with regard to the status of sabda in the autpattikajnitya relation between sabda and krti. One may raise serious doubts as to whether Sabara himself spoke of nityatva in the sense of an absolute eternity of sabda, i.e. in the same sense as Kumrila Bhatta uses it, or in the sense in which it is used by any metaphysical system within Indian philosophy. The problem may be overcome in the context of Sahara's presentation of the sabda/krti relation with regard to nitya by suggesting that nitya be considered not as eternal but as connoting a sense of permanence, consistency and continuity.76 Only in this sense can Sahara's view of krti in its autpattika relation with sabda be maintained consistently and even conforms with his view of the perceptibility of signifying units {krti). The most important Bhsya with regard to nityatva seems to be 1.1.20 which leaves no doubt about Sahara's view of sabda : "One says the word 'cow' has been pronounced eight times and (one does) not (say) there are eight words cow*. What, if it is so? Such a way of speech shows that one recognizes (sabda). We will recognize it, as long as there is no weakness in our .sense organs and in fact others understand it as well that it is so (the same). Those, who recognize,, recognize like ourselves and are even prepared to say it is not different . . . and there is neither a perception nor another pramna which supports that this (sabda) is different."77 It is important to note that Sahara's argument is based on perception, e.g. when he says that if sabda is pronounced eight
75. cf. below pp. 64-65. 76. D.S. RUEGG remarks "...that the linguistic theory comparable with nitya will be comprehended more easily, if one translates the term nitya by 'invariable' (and nityatva by invariability') instead of 'permanent! *\ (RUEGG, D.S., Contributions Vhistoire de la philosophie linguistique in* dienne, Paris, 1959, p. 56. 77. S. Bh. 1.1.20 (see text p. 144).
62
Bermeneutics and Language
times it is recognized as the same by everybody. Perception alone is his justification for pointing out that sabda is nitya.18 He can refer to the 'sameness' of the phonemes at the very instant of perception with regard to sabda, as they are not apart from sabda; the resonance (nda), however is evanescent. A noticeable difference between sabda on the one hand and action/ cognition (buddhikarmani) on the other hand is evident with regard to nityatva in the fact of perception. Although there is a successive character of action and cognition, they do not provide any perceptible ground for their recognition as being the same one at the very moment of perception, as BIARDEAU reminds us. 79 For Sabara direct perception of the phonemes is the indicator of consistency with regard to sabda. One cannot perceive cognition and action themselves as permanently referring to any concrete object as does sabda to its specific set of phonemes. This distinction shows that one can hardly overestimate in Sbara Bhsya the significance of perception with regard to nityatva. This is obvious, further, in Sahara's reply to the opponent : "The sabda which has been spoken out yesterday and the one of today is different. No. It has not perished, because we perceive it again. In fact one does not suppose that something which had been seen for some time directly and then has not been seen has perished, when one recognizes it while it is perceived again. If one would suppose so, then one would not believe (to see) his mother, wife or father seeing them a second time. One does not suppose necessarily that a thing perished, just because one does not perceive it anymore. If there is no pramna known, we know it does not exist. If there is perception as a pramna, it cannot be without pramna. It does exist, if it is perceived again without error. There is no non-existence. If the non-existence is not proved, there is no error. The non-existence is not proved. Hence as no error is proved, there is no non-existence."80
78. cf. S. Bh. 1.1.20 (see text p. 144). 79. BIARDEAU, M Theorie, pp. 187-188. 80. S. Bh. 1.1.20 (see text p. 144).
Sahara?s View of Language
63
Sahara's very illustrative argument shows the importance of perception which is necessary for the validity of his explanation of language with regard to sabda. One gets the impression that Sahara's explanation of sabda neither belongs to nor forms any absolute doctrine of the eternity of sabda. His explanation is a response to his experience of sabda as perceived in language and the Bhsya 1.1.20 concludes with the remark that "because of this it is nitya" (tasmnnityd). However, it may be said that this statement is not the gist of the entire stra. The crux of the stra is his unambiguous assertion that "perception supports that it is 'this' (i.e. the same, sa iti pratyak$ah). The explanation leading to this key statement leaves no doubt as to its being the cardinal point of his view of sabda : "It is so" (i.e. the same sa evyam iti)... "It is not another" (i.e. different, nnya iti) . . . "No, it (sabda) has not perished, we perceived it again" (naUa vinastahjyata enaw punar upalabhmahe) . . . "There is no end of sabda and no destruction perceived" (na ca sabdasynto na ca k$ayo laksyate). These clear-cut and precise statements do not give any evidence of sabda as an absolute eternity. They make it evident, however, that sabda with reference to nityatva is within time and perception. For fSabara nityatva of sabda is present only in the way it is perceived in and as sabda and thereby recognized as the same. It seems difficult to maintain that Sahara's view of nityatva connotes a sense of eternity in any metaphysical or transcendental sense. Nityatva does not seem to be based on any ground other than perception which conforms with Sabara's view that "what cannot be spoken of (as an object of perception) cannot be the object of perception.81 Perception cannot establish nitya in the sense of being beginninglessly eternal (andinitya)> or unchangeably eternal (ktasthanitya). Consequently, it is through perception, that Sabara asserts that sabda cannot be said to be nitya in any metaphysical sense. Nitya refers to the
81.
S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 130).
64
use of sabda only in the sense of being perceptibly permanent and consistent. Moreover, there is no indication in the text that Sahara has inferred nitya from perception. His statement, "no end and destruction of sabda" cannot be transformed into a mere projection into the future which connotes eternity in the sense of being without end. The statement is linked with previous concrete experience, namely that sabda has always been perceptibly the same. BIARDEAU's conclusion with regard to the eternity of the word can only be emphasised in this context of an ontological and epistemological consistency : "With all rigour it seems to us that Sabara has shown in this way only one thing, the continuity of sabda between two enunciations and not its eternity."82 Sabara is compelled to refer to sabda as being nitya on account of the experience of a continuous and consistent use of sabda. The inability to trace the origin and the end of the use of sabda is his support for the claim based on experience that sabda is the same. Sabda complies or functions in accordance with its proper object in a way that has been permanently and perceptibly maintained through generations in an unbroken tradition* In keeping with the text of Sahara Bhsya it seems that with reference to nitya only the consistent and permanent use of sabda is conveyed. Hence, nityah sabdah characterises this consistency and permanence and it is the utmost which may be said with regard to the essence of sabda as nitya. Of course, Sabara does not speak of nityatva only with reference to temporality. In order to understand better the notion of nityatva so that the term may not be misconstrued with reference to the text, it is necessary to see the difference which exists according to Sahara between the consistency of sabda and artha (which is characterised by krasz), i.e., the difference between sabda and the individual object related to krti. The significance of aikarpya (unity of form) and
82. BIARDEAU, M., Theorie, pp. 187-188. 83. cf. above p. 14).
65
niravayava (without parts) with reference to sabda has to be considered very carefully in this context, since unity and indivisibility often indicate eternity in the Indian context of nityatva and especially in the context of ksa (ether, air). Sahara's emphasis that sabda is characterised by aikarpya and as being niravayava is a rejection of the opponent's view that the nityatva of sabda is on account of ksa and vyu (air).84 Sahara explicitly affirms only the unity of form of the same sabda in the context of ksa but he does not rely on ksa itself with regard to the unity and nityatva of sabda. Sabda which is located in ksa is the same even if it is perceived to be located in different places.85 The emphasis is on the significance of aikarpya for the immediate and instantaneous perception of sabda. The passage (1.1. 15) supports and confirms the view of the permanence of sabda in its use and gives no textual evidence on the part of Sabara for the suggestion regarding the eternity of sabda in the context of ksa. With reference to the nitya character of sabda, Sabara further states that sabda is niravayava (without parts). The perception of any difference in sound-effects does not in any way indicate a division of sabda into parts. No variable extension of sabda itself can be perceived, i.e. the same sabda is manifested in spite of variation in volume. The perceptible difference in sound/ speech effects with reference to sabda is a mere indication of the audibility arid manifestation of sabda. It characterizes the resonance (nda) and not the existence of sabda itself. The distinction between nda and sabda is important for abara because nda is a conglomeration of various parts or a composite product of material elements like air particles, whilst sabda itself remains without parts. 86 The perception of different parts of sabda due to any change in the material composition which is perceived would indicate that sabda is a transformation of air. This could dissolve the unity and uniformity of sabda. The utterance of sabda would indicate that the origin and destruction
84. cf, S. Bh. 1.1.13, 15, 17, 22. 85. S. Bh. 1.1.15 (see text p. 144). 86. Serial No. 9 (pp. 40-41); S, Bh. Ll.17,
66
are traceable in its use, so that no recognition of the same sabda would be possible. In other words, if the opponent's standpoint is to be taken, then for abara sbda would have an instantaneous existence like resonance (nda). Consequently, one would not perceive the consistency of the signifying unit between two enunciations of the same sabda which is given through the same set of phonemes. If sabda is composed of parts (i.e. not niravayava), it is impossible for Sabara to speak of any /^-characteristic. There are a few other references, apart from aikarpya and niravayava which point to the difference between the consistency of sabda on the one hand and the individual object on the other, namely the reference to the mat as a composition of reeds,87 the woven cloth88 and the imperceptible air.89 However, according to Sabara the problem seems to be focused especially in stra 1. 1. 21 : 'anapekwtvt' on account of no reference, i.e. 'independent' (G. JHA). Commenting on this Sabara says that one knows the anityatva, as soon as one has seen the form of the individual object for example, a piece of new cloth, although one has not seen how it has been previously woven (i.e. composed). He points out that there is no such reason or cause for sabda as with a piece of cloth which involves destruction.90 The indestructibility of sabda is not made with specific reference to time in the sense of being (perceived as) produced or destroyed, i.e. sabda as a specific set of phonemes is not a composition of (variable) phonemes and is not composed or produced as is a mat (Bhsya 1.1. 16). The statement rather seems to be made with reference to the essential characteristic and nature (svabhva) of sabda itself. Although this seems to lead to the conclusion that sabda is eternal, one has to bear in mind the suggestion made earlier with textual reference that sabda as nitya is only permanent and consistent in its use and not eternal. Moreover, it may be recalled that only Kumrila
87. 88. 89. 90.
S. Bh. 1.1.16 (see text p. 144).S. Bh. 1.1.22 (see text p. 144). S. Bh. 1.1.21 (see text p. 145). Serial No. 87: S. Bh. 1.1.22) cf. S. Bh. 1.1.13, 15 (apratyakfasya vyoh). Serial No. 88: S. Bh. 1.1.22.
67
Bhatta, a later Mimmsaka (620-680),91 has clearly established the eternity of sabda in the context of the unchangeable varna.92 The reference that sabda has neither undergone any change which endangers its unity and sameness nor that it could ever be subject to it (Bhsya 1. 1. 21) does in fact support the permanence of sabda. Similar comparisons between sabda and a produced individual object, especially in Bhsya 1. 1. 16 and 21, stress only that Sabara still concentrates on the same sabda, which he maintains to be a consequence of his basic insight of the validity of his perception and not a result of any metaphysical speculation. It is difficult to see exactly why Sabara should concentrate specifically on (an absolute) eternity only in Bhsya 1. 1.21, if one does not confuse various later traditional developments with regard to sabda. This passage gives support for the view of the permanence of sabda in the context of Sbara Bhsya itself. In accordance with the conditions of Sahara's rigorous principle of perception, on account of which alone he is able to focus attention on sabda, any impermanence of sabda in its use is ruled out. This condition may be said to be sufficient for the clarification ofnityatva according to Sabara. The permanence of sabda in its use, to state it positively, belongs to its nature as focused in apauruseya, i.e. sabda is not produced nor made by anyone. 93 Sahara's entire explanation of sabda is a masterly demonstration of the result of the correlation between his view of perception and the use of language. On the basis of strict textual reference there seems to be no evidence that Sahara's aim was to establish the nityatva character of sabda as an absolute eternity. Sabda as a permanent and consistent entity conforms to
91. According to T.R. CHINTAMANI, A Short History of Prvamimms Literature, Ph. D. thesis, University of Madras, Typescript (quoted by POTTER, KM., The Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies, Vol. I, Bibliography, Delhi, 1970, p. 76. 92. cf. Serial No. 70: Kumrila's lokavrttika: krtivdah 5-7 and sabdanityatdhikarana 290-301 (see text pp. 142-143). 93. K. Kunjunni RAJA comments: "What the Mimmsakas meant by the eternality of words and their meaning was that it is not possible to trace the origin of the relationship to a person (2)". (FN 2: 'This is called pravha-nityat") (in: Theories, p. 20).
68
Hermentutics
and Language
his principle of perception in order not to interfere with reality and does not seem to contradict a traditional understanding of the Vedas.94 Hence, to maintain that it is important to Sahara that : di sabda is autpattika (coexistent in and through the inborn relation with its proper object), (b) sabda is nitya (proper to itself and permanent in its use) and (c) sabda is apauru$eya (not made by anyone), is to pay due respect to the text of &bara Bhsya itself in the Indian tradition. Also, this view does not ignore the scholarship and insight of the later Mimmsakas, who have partly based their own contribution on views prevalent in their time and not elaborated in Sbara Bhsya itself. The aikarpya (unity of form) and niravayava (without parts) characteristics of sabda are relevant for his explanation of the recognition of sabda as the same. They implicitly support the three main characteristics stated above. However, the autpattika, nitya and apauruseya character of sabda are made with reference to the uninterrupted tradition of the use of sabda which excludes any authorship, which is above the authority of sabda itself. This for Sabara is known from perception and does not contradict sruti. . Furthermore, Sahara's aim to investigate dharma, which is indicated by the Veda as conducive to the highest good, supports the above view of sabda, especially insofar as his main concern is not the eternity of sabda but the validity of sabda with regard to the Veda. Although this validity has still
94. E. FRAUWALLNER comments: "Does it not contradict the belief of the ancient Mimms in the eternity of the Veda if we declare the theory of the eternity of sound as rather a new one? By no means at all. For the eternity of the Veda does not necessarily presuppose the eternity of sound. For the concept of the absolute eternity was not the only concept known. Apart from the absolute eternity of the word there was also a view, in the Grammarian schools, that the words are eternal in their usage {vyavahranityah), i.e., that they (the words) from time immemorial continue to live in the use of human language from generation to generation. Thus, we may be obliged to assume only that the same view was held by the older Mimms with regard to the eternity of the Veda and, on account of the eternity of sound, there is nothing against the assumption that the theory of its (the Veda's) absolute eternity is a more recent development." (Mimmsstram I, 1. 6-23, pp. 119-120).
69
to be investigated, it may be anticipated here that for Sahara the unquestioned validity of the Veda itself is in conformity with the unbroken tradition of the untampered and unviolated function of sabda in the sense of making something known to others.95 The significance of sabda is its function as darsana, i.e., as showing and indicating the real and pure correspondence between sabda and its proper object within verbal cognition and communication. This natural correspondence is not violated by anyone, if sabda is characterised as autpattika, nitya, apauruseya, aikarpya and niravayava.
95.
S. Bh. 1.1.18 (see text p. 145).
CHAPTER IV
SAHARA'S VIEW OF LANGUAGE : SABDA IN VEDIC AND NON-VEDIC SPEECH
The Vedas are Sahara's exclusive reliable source for the knowledge of the invisible (adr$ta), especially of a) dharma, of b) Vedic acts and of c) their realisation and result. Therefore, Sahara pays special attention to Vedic and non-Vedic statements especially sabda and the Veda, while he maintains the characteristics of sabda in general : "The words in the Veda are the same as those in common speech, equally so their object.Why ? (Otherwise) there would be no injunction of action (stra). The injunction of action is only possible, if the words and the objects are the same. If the words were different, their object could not be known." 1 There is no distinction between a Vedic and a profane, i.e., non-Vedic, word (sabda). In other words, there are not two sets of words, on which two different languages could be based. The nature of the word is one and the same, as we cannot perceive any difference which would justify two different types of sabdas and objects2 with reference to the Vedic and the non-Vedic uses. There are no additional characteristics to the ones already discussed with reference to the sabda perceived
1. S. Bh. 1.3.30 (see text p. 145). 2. Sahara's reference to the Vedic statement "the cows of the gods move on their backs" concludes: If the words [e.g., go (cow)J were different in the Vedas from the common usage, it would be impossible to comprehend 'uttanah* (on their backs). In other words, one would not grasp this 'characteristic of the cow', cf. S. Bh. 1.3.30 (see text p. \45).
Sabda in Vedic and Non-Vedic Speech
71
in the Veda. Consequently it seems at first sight that the significance of any statement, Vedic or non-Vedic, would be the same with regard to sabda, in spite of the sharp distinction between the Veda and the smrti. This is the case for Sabara insofar as he is concerned only with meaningful, and not necessarily valid statements. Meaningful Speech For Sahara all statements, Vedic and non-Vedic, are meaningful, because the vkya (sentence or group of words) does not have another object than that referred to by each sabda. Further &abara points out that : "The words (padni) cease to operate, after they have expressed their own object. Now the objects of the words, as they are known, make known the object of the sentence. ..." 3 This view is elaborated by referring to qualifying terms, for example, 'white', which are not apart from the object concerned. Therefore, the notion of the particularised or qualified thing is given through its quality. "The cognition of the particularised objects is (constitutes) the object of the sentence."4 Consequently cognition of the object of the sentence is not possible, if the isolated, particularised object of the word is not known or if the object of the sentenceis considered to be distinct from the qualified and qualifying words of the sentence. "One who has an idea of whiteness, even when the word has not been uttered, has precisely the idea of a thing which is qualified by white. Consequently the cognition of the words is the very object of the sentence; and the latter has no connection with the group of words" (different from the objects of the words) ,5 After having clarified his view more clearly Sabara says : "If it is so, one has rejected (the objection :) the exclusion
3. S. Bh. 1.1.25 (see text p. 145). 4. S. Bh. 1.1.25 (see text p. 145). 5. S. Bh. 1.1.25 (szz text p. 145)
1.
72
Hermeneutics and Language of others qualities cannot be the object of the word (sabda)" (Expressing a quality) .6
Although in this Bhsya, Sabara generally uses the term pada (word), the above quotation features the key-term sabda in the same context. In the context of Sbara Bhsya as a whole, Sabara does not seem to concentrate on the term pada itself and it may be said that sabda is the key to the object and meaning of the sentence {vkyrth) and, thus, one may add of language itself. Only those combinations of words are considered to be a sentence which produce a meaningful unity of the object which is not apart from sabdas, but constituted through sabdas. The connection between the object or objects of words forming the object of the sentence as a whole is due to bhvan which has already been referred to above.7 To borrow BIARDEAU's statement: "...What is always important is that krti is never known alone, but is always known with the individual, or the individuals, that structures it... One could say, taken separately that the word denotes all the individuals of the same krti (i.e. consequently of the same class), while the sentence has to limit its intrinsic value (portee) ." 8 Sahara's maintenance of sabdas as the signifying unit of the sentence shows the key-position of sabda in meaningful language. Besides Sabara rejects through this explanation the view of the opponent who says : "Even if the word {sabda) and its relation to the object are autpattika and nitya, the dharma cannot be what is indicated by the Vedic injunction. As the Vedic injunction is a sentence . . . The words themselves are used (in common speech), and their object is nitya. But their group itself is never used. Hence, either the object of the group is artificial or illusory. . . ." 9
6. 7. 8. 9. S. Bh. 1.1.25 (see text p. 146). cf. above pp. 31-32. BIARDEAU, M., Theorie, p. 195, note 1. S. Bh. 1.1.24 (see text p. 146).
73
One can hardly overemphasize the significance of sabda with regard to language and reality, as according to Sahara the object of meaningful Vedic and non-Vedic statements is constituted through sabdas. The possibility of meaningful speech is given only through sabda in its valid relation to the object To formulate it rigorously one may say that for Sahara a meaningful sentence is the powerful demonstration of the fact that sabda and krti are always on the same constitutive level in which one cannot perceive any human influence or interference, whereby the meaningfully manifested object of the sentence is annihilated. Misunderstanding of a sentence may occur on account of the fact that sabda is not known in its proper relation to the object as may happen, for example, with persons who are mentally deranged.10 Misunderstanding does not occur as a result of the sentence itself, i.e. the word arrangement, because of the simple fact that a sentence is already a completely unified group of words. If a group of words does not form a unit in itself, this group of words cannot be said, to be a sentence. Strictly speaking, human influence does not interfere with the meaningful function of the sentence in showing or indicating something in accordance with reality. Consequently, although a sdhusabda or a vkya (sentence) can be communicated by men, yet its meaningful function cannot be revoked by any person.11 2. Valid speech
Since sabda does not rely on man in its natural and inherent relation to the object, and also, since sabda is the basis of the sentence with regard to its meaningful relation to its object, the significance of Bhsya 1.1.18 is evident with regard to the relevance of sabda in its relation to language as a whole, when it says : "Sabda must be nitya.Why ?It is so, because the object is (meant) for others through showing. To show is to utter. Hence there is an object for others, i.e. to make known the object to somebody else." 12
10. cf. S. Bh. 1.1.25 (p. 146). 11. cf. sdhusabda, above pp. 57-60. cf. unity of vkya, above p. 72. cf. unity of object: Mi. s: 2,1,46 (see text p. 146). 12. S. Bh. 1.1.18 (see text p. 146).
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Herrneneutics and Language
Consequently, man responds to the objects of reality by merely vindicating through language the existing meaningful use of sabda in its proper relation to the object. Hence, when one sees the object 'cow', the response to the object is identical with the use of the word 'cow' (gosabda) and vice versa, i.e. sabda and artha coexist and their coexistence for Sahara has been maintained in an unbroken tradition, which usage we merely vindicate. Whilst Sahara grants the reality of the object as being identical with the use of its related sabda, he emphasizes sabda which gives knowledge of its related object. Therefore Sabara says : "If the relation (between sabda and artha) is established by man, one might suspect that there is a cognition which is false. Then it would be a cognition of another (extraneous source). On the other hand if sabda speaks {sabde bruvati) why should it be false ? Then it is not obtained from another man. 'It speaks' means 'it makes known" (braviti ity ucyate avabodhayati); it is the sign/reason (nimittam) of the (thing) to be known. Now if on account of sabda as the sign/ reason it (the object) becomes known by itself, how could one call it a fallacy (and say) : 'it is not so ?" 13 In this passage Sabara is not concerned with meaningful speech within language, but with the validity of sabda (and language as a whole) insofar as it concerns right knowledge. The authority of sabda as an authentic valid source of knowledge in meaningful speech is the key-issue, i.e., he considers the relevance of sabda as a means of right knowledge. Sabda is affirmed in its primordial aspect as a pramana because sabda is reliable aud valid apart from any human influence: it is independent of man (apaurupeya). Sabda itself speaks, i.e. makes known what can be said without error and mistake. The knowledge which relies fully on sabda is valid like any cognition. One has to keep in mind that for Sabara, the inherent validity of any cognition is not affirmed beyond doubt by the principle of verification, but
13. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 130).
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only through the principle of falsification. In other words, the validity of cognition is not tested by showing positive evidence in support of it, but by the impossibility of falsifying it. "If.a cognition, when it has really arisen, does not fail (turn into the opposite), then one cannot say of it : 'it is not so', 'how it is known, thus it is not; and how it is not known, thus it is'. There is something in mind and something else in speech. When one speaks thus, something contradictory is comprehended : 'It is' and 'it is not'." 1 4 One has to bear in mind that a cognition is inherently valid, because it is based on perception, which is in contact with the perceived object and presupposes the right functioning of the sense organs. 'For a cognition which has something as an object, while there is a contact with something else, that is no perception ...If after careful examination, no defect is found (in the sense organ and the object), then we think it is not defective, because there is no pramna for it (i.e. there is nothing to show any defect). Consequently, a cognition of which the causal means are defective and whereby the cognition arises that it is wrong, is an erroneous cognition, no other." 15 However, this is especially pointed out with regard to the object of the visible realm of reality, where a direct contact between the sense organs and the object is possible. Nonetheless, the same conditions are to be applied for the cognition of a statement, which is based on sabda and presupposes the right functioning of tbe sense organs16. Moreover according of Sahara, sabda itself speaks, i.e., it makes known the object without error and mistake, because it has no extraneous source. Sabda is in direct contact with the object in and through its autpattika relation. Hence the object
14. . Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 131). 15. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 131). 16. S. Bh. 1.1.25 (see text p. 146).
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of cognition is on a level where strictly speaking no defect in the causal means can be discovered, because the relation is nitya and apauru$eya. Consequently, if sabda speaks, it makes known what can be said in an authentic and authoritative way to anyone whose sense organs are not defective with regard to cognising and recognising sabda. Cognition which arises through sabda is not erring (avyatireka) and "this cognition does not fail (turn into the opposite").17 Therefore Sabara can say of a statement which is only based on sabda, i.e., actually of sabda itself, that : "It is pramna, because it is independent (anapek$atvt). Therefore there is no need for another cognition or for another man. For that is a cognition by its very nature (s vayampratyaya)."18 The core of Sabara's insight into the above teristic lies in the fact that sabda in its autpattika relation to its object is independent, "because of the absence of perception as pramna and on account of the precedence (of perception) with regard to the other (pramnas)."19 Sabda "would not be apramna, if there were only five pramnas. As a matter of fact everything by which a right cognition is obtained is pramna. One also cognises correctly through sabda. Hence, sabda is also a pramna equally like perception (pratyaksa)."20 If the autpattika/mtya/apaurufeya relation between sabda and its object is maintained and no contradiction to this proper
17. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 131). 18. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 131). 19. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 131). This is Sabara's 'definition' of the
pramna of non-perception {anupalahdhi). Anupalabdhi is a pramna, if
no pramna is available. According to Sabara the other pramnas are pratyaksa (perception), sabda ('word'), anumna (inference), upamna (comparison), arthpatti (presumption). Pratyaksa is related to the others at some stage of human experience and is therefore precedent. Sabara's insight of sabda's independence to our opinion is due to anupalabdhi', no pramna is available to falsify it. cf. also the statement on abhva: S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 131). 20. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 131).
11
relation can be found (i.e. to the characteristics of $abdd)> one can speak of sab da in its pure state where it is a pramna beyond doubt; there is no defect in sabda and its object. Thus this relation is the reason for any knowledge of and through sabda which cannot turn out to be wrong. In other words sabda speaks, i.e. makes (something) known. Valid knowledge of sabda is obtained through codan (Vedic injunction). Codan as a sentence is not only meaningfully constituted by sabda, but has also no other extraneous source which could lead to error. This is the basic insight which guides Sabara in his answer to the opponent who says : "A codan could speak of an object in a manner which is not in accordance with its nature (something incorrect) like any common speech, (for example), there are fruits on the bank of a river. It can be true or false. (Sahara's answer is :) It is to say that it is considered to be a contradiction to say (at the same time) 'it {codan) says' and it says 'falsely'. 'It says' means 'it makes known'; it is the sign/reason for the (thing) to be known. What is present as the reason for a thing to be known is that which makes known . . . it is a contradiction to say 'one knows a thing which does not exist.'" 21 For Sabara a codan is valid, because it cannot be falsified. In other words, the fact of saying relies only on sabda which make itself known without error and mistake. There is no human influence which endangers this reliance upon sabda as pramna. A codanin order never to be falsified as a valid statementmust be true in the sense that its knowledge cannot fail, i.e. cannot be contradicted. This involves according to Sabara, a new experience which excludes a mere remembrance of a previous experience. The experience itself is valid, if it is based on perception which refers to the dr$ta dimension of reality. However, mere remembrance is not compatible with
21. S. Bh. 1.1.2 (see text p. 131).
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validity. "There is no remembrance of something which has not been seen before"22 or it is a mere repetition of a statement. A remembrance does not state anything new which according to Sbara Bhsya 1.4.4 is essential to a Vedic injunction : "The making known of something unknown is said to be a vidhi (injunction)." 23 Codan cannot be falsified, only if the above conditions are fulfilled and it has actually passed the test of sabda as pramna in the sense of having no extraneous source leading to error. Hence, a Vedic injunctive statement is only constituted through sabda and is not only meaningful but also valid. There is no codan where sabda does not speak, i.e. makes something known without error. A Vedic injunction is not a mere remembrance. On the contrary "codan is able to make known (indicate) such an object which is past, present or future, subtle, hidden or remote (or of such a kind), and nothing else, not even a sense organ (can do)." 24 There is simply no human experience which could falsify the knowledge of a Vedic injunction. A codan, therefore, does not even face the risk of being found false. It is absolutely reliable. The knowledge which can be acquired from any Vedic injunction has not been tampered with by any extrinsic influence and cannot be contradicted. Consequently, it is valid knowledge, because codan is pure sabda as a pramna. There is no other means of knowing reality in its adrsta dimension than sabda as pramna, which is certainly accessible in the Vedas. One may say that according to Sahara codan forms the primordially authoritative section of the entire Vedic literature. Although the object of any Vedic injunctive sentence is yet outside the realm of human experience, it is nonetheless, always recognisable as linked to human action through the injunction
22. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 132). 23. S. Bh. 1.4.4 (see text p. 146). 24. S. Bh. 1.1.2 (see text p. 132).
abda in Vedic and Non- Vedic Speech
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itself. For "one calls injunction (codana) the word (yacanam) which incites action." 25 This insight poses on the one hand the problem whether the non-injunctive statements of the Vedas are also reliable in the same way as injunctive ones, i.e. the problem whether these non-injunctive statements are mere human insights and human compositions; but on the other hand it provides the key to abara's explanation of the entire Veda as being apauru$eya. Since some Vedic texts are distinguished from one another by different names of individuals, Sahara's opponent points out that the entire "Vedas belong to recent times as they were composed in modern days." 26 Sahara rejects the allegation that the Vedas even the Vedic injunctionsare of human authorship by reference to "precedence and priority of sabda" as explained by him27. Also Sabara points especially out that the opponent's presumption is not stringently against the apauru$eya characteristic of the Vedas itself. According to Sabara "there is no presumption {arthpatti), (because) it is possible to give to it (the Vedic texts) the name of somebody who is not the author." 28 He explains that the designation of names to texts is due to "the unique and excellent exposition" by outstanding persons, who because they studied only one recension enjoyed a superior reputation with regard to that section; it is a distinctive proper feature."29 Besides there is no name of any historical person mentioned in the Vedas. The presupposition of historical names in Vedic texts is a false conclusion on the basis of "a mere similarity of sounds" (srutismnyamtram) which are associated with names of persons.30 Sabara rules out . any idea of a human authorship of the entire Veda. The injunctions are the main issue of the Vedic literature and every statement in it is coherent with a specific injunction. Even such statements as "Trees sat at the sacri25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. S. S. S. S. Cf. S. Bh. 1.1.2 (see text p. 132). Bh. 1.1.27 (see text p. 146). Bh. 1.1.29 (see text p. 146). Bh. 1.1.30 (see text p. 146). S. Bh. 1.1.30 (see text p. 147). Bh. 1.1.31 (see text p, 147).
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ficial session" are not absurd (nnupapanna). They have a specific aim with regard to the injunction or its object and are far from the incoherence found in the utterance of lunatics and children.31 Even such non-injunctive statements cannot be cited in support of the (opponent's) view that the Vedas are human compositions. On the contrary non-injunctive sentences are always based on sabda through their inherent coherence with their specific injunction. "One sees that they are enjoined for the sake of mutual relation. 32 To borrow the paraphrase of G. JHA : "As a rule we find the sentences occurring in the Veda laid down as mutually connected." 33 Sahara's remark in the Bhsya that "the friendly teaching is in harmony and is well established" 34 conforms with his explanation of the "pramna characteristic of the whole Veda." 35 The pramna characteristic of the whole Veda rests on the import of the non-injunctive statements only with regard to injunctions, i.e., to sabda which is accessible as a pramna. The Vedic texts, therefore, can be distinguished into a) injunctions (codan, vidhiy nisedha, pratisedha), b) explanatory proclamations of the object/purpose (arthavda), c) formulae to be recited in the performance of a sacrificial act (mantra) and d) names (nmadheya).Z6 However, only the first, the injunctions, directly point to the adrffa dimension of reality and indicate the object, for example, dharma or aprva, while the other statements form an important part of the injunctions and therefore cannot be dismissed. What is important to note in our context is that all non-injunctive sentences are coherently interwoven with an injunctive statement within the Veda itself. Besides, they support the injunction to which they are related by throwing light on the relevance or performance of the Vedic action as
31. Cf. S. Bh. 1.1.32 (see text p. 147). 32. S. Bh. 1.1.32 (see text p. 147). 33. JHA, G., Sbara-Bhsya, Vol. I, p. 50. 34. S. Bh. 1.1.32 (see text p. 147). 35. Cf. S. Bh. 1.3.1 (see text p. 147). 36. Cf. S. Bh., adhyya I for this classification of the Vedas. According to S. Bh. 2.1.33 the Vedas are distinguished into 'mantras' and 'brhmanas\ (see text p. 147).
Sab da in Vedic and Non-Vedic Speech
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enjoined in the injunction by sabda. The link between injuno tive and non-injunctive statements is not always obvious at first sight. Nonetheless, the significance of non-injunctive Vedic statements is based only on their intrinsic relationship to the injunction itself. This is the turning point of Sahara's explanation that the entire Veda is in accordance with sabda and pramna (which is primarily accessible in the Vedic injunction). Consequently, if the significance of sabda is maintained, the Veda according to Sahara cannot be deprived of its apauruseya characteristic. Sabara's explanation of the apauruseya characteristic of the entire Veda throws light on the full significance of a Vedic statement (vedavacana), when fie says : "Besides to say that a Vedic statement is false, because it is endowed with the same properties as a human statement, is an inference, while the cognition in a Vedic statement is direct perception (pratyaksas tu vedavacane pratyayah); an inference is no pramna, when it contradicts perception." 37 Sabara emphasizes that there is no human interference with a Vedic statement and sabda is the only pramna. One cannot contradict any Vedic statement with regard to the cognition of its object by reference to (another) perception. In fact all Vedic statements are relevant only because of their reference to the cognition of an object. The entire Veda is authoritative in this regard, because for Sabara the Veda entails the pramna characteristic in all its parts which distinguishes it from all nonVedic texts. Thus far, in non-Vedic statements, i.e. in human speech, no one has fulfilled those criteria which give the Veda its relevance as the authentic and valid source of the adrsta dimension, of reality. Consequently, authority lies in the Veda, which has been passed on from age to age in an unbroken tradition, and not in any person. One might say that there are individuals or groups who are authorities within the Vedic tradition, but never, in a real sense, authorities over the tradition of the Veda itself. There is no guarantee of a real cognition, when one refers to a non-Vedic statement. In other words, sabda might
37. &. Bh. 1.1.2 (see text p. 132).
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not be perceived as pramna in common or non-Vedic speech, though it may be part of a tradition or highly estimated like an instruction. Moreover "an instruction may proceed from a mental confusion (vymoha). If there is no mental confusion, it proceeds from the Veda as well. Besides the cognition arising from a human statement is 'this man knows it so', but not 'the object is so' (like that). For some cognition which is based on a statement made by man, indeed, goes astray. But there is no pramna for the falsity of Vedic statements," 38 Hence, an instruction may turn out to be wrong because of an error or defect in the sense organs.39 Besides, some improper motive may lead to an invalid statement, i.e. one without any authority, in spite of its (mere) traditional value, as 3abara points out with regard to some smrt i-rules : "Some (priest) out of greed desiring to take a piece of cloth covered the whole (post) of udumbara. This is the source of a smrti-rule. Some desiring to be fed took their meal with the sacrificer who had bought the 'little king' (i.e. the soma). Some observed brahmacarya for 48 years to hide their lack of virility. From this came the smrti-rtile (that one should remain a 'student' for 48 years). . .. And so are the smrti-mles. 'The piece of cloth at the Vaisarjana Homa is to be taken by the adhvaryu priest'. 'They make a gift (of the cloth) of the post. (The opponent) takes it as pramna, because they have the same author (as the Veda). (This) smrti is no pramna, because it has another foundation (other than dharma). Some people have done it out of greed and afterwards it became this smrti. This (namely, that it happened out of greed) is more plausible."4? Sabda is pramna, only if it cannot be falsified as in the case of a Vedic statement. In fact Sabara insists on the link
38. 39. ' 40. S. Bh. 1.1.2 (see text p. 132). Cf. Serial No. 10: S. Bh. 1.1.25. Cf. Serial No. 15: S. Bh. S. Bh. 1.3.4 (see text p. 147).
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with the Vedas for any authoritative human statements with regard to the adrta dimension of reality. Otherwise they cannot be considered as pramna. This is the basis of Sahara's view that any human statement is a pramna, only if it comes from a trustworthy person who in fact actually vindicates the Veda, i.e. sabda itself. Hence sabda is accessible as a pramna in a human statement, wherein reality reveals itself as it is. "Insofar as a common statement is concerned it is not incorrect {avitatha), if it comes from a trustworthy person or if it is pertaining to an object of sense perception (indriyavipaya). If it comes from an untrustworthy person or if it is not pertaining to an object of sense perception (anindriyavisaya), then it has as its source the human mind and is no pramna. " 4 1 If cognition of human speech is based on perception which is in direct contact with the object, such cognition cannot be falsified. Sense perception is in direct contact with the dr$ta dimension of reality which includes language and thus also sabda. Consequently, any cognition through human language is valid, insofar as it is in accordance with the object, i.e. human speech is not incorrect in its direct reference to a perceptible object. However, there is no direct perception of the adr$ta dimension of reality so that cognition by means of human speech could be in direct contact with the object itself. Only sabda as pramna can directly perceive an object of the adrtfa dimension of reality. Any human statement which is in accordance with this sabdapramana is an inference, i.e., based on perception and therefore valid. If the relation between the human statement and the relevant Vedic statement is untampered with, then this human statement is authentic and cannot be falsified, i.e., the human statement for Sabara is that of a trustworthy person and is therefore not incorrect. In short, therefore, according to Sabara a human statement is not incorrect, if any human influence does not contradict or interfere with the status of reality in both its dr$ta and adrta dimension.
4L . Bh. 1.1.2 (see text p. 132).
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According to Sahara, insofar as the nature of the word {sabda) is one and the same in Vedic and non-Vedic statements, there can be only one language. Any sentence is meaningfully constituted only by sabdas. Sabda is perceived as a pramna only in and through the Veda. In Sahara's view, the Veda is pure sabda being characterised as autpattika, nitya and apauru?eya, which is why the Veda is said to be pramna. The Veda as pramna, insofar as it concerns the adrsta dimension of reality, has equal value as the pramna of sense perception, insofar as it pertains to the dr$ta dimension of reality. In fact, insight in a Vedic statement is also direct perception42 according to Sabara. Both pramnas are together important and necessary in order to know and experience reality as a whole which forms the entire realm of speech. Consequently, the importance of sabda and the Veda can hardly be overemphasized in the context of Sahara's view of language as presenting reality as a whole.
42. cf. Serial No. 37: . Bh. 1.1.2 (see text p. 132).
CHAPTER V
LANGUAGE AS THE CORE OF HERMENEUTICS

While the exposition of the view of reality and language in Sahara Bhsya has avoided an explicit hermeneutical perspective, nonetheless, an assessment of the view of language and reality in the work as explicated above reveals an evident significance and contribution to hermeneutics. 1. The Hermeneutical Concern in Sbara Bh$ya.
Sahara's significant contribution to hermeneutics can easily be noticed in the beginning of his Bhsya, when he exposes his view of language and reality with a hermeneutical concern : "An enquiry into dharma is an enquiry for the sake of dharma; for it (the enquiry) consists in the desire to know it (dharma) (dharmya jijns. S hi tasya jntum icch).1 Although this statement is made by Sahara in the context of the Mimms stra 1.1.1. ("next therefore the enquiry into dharma"2), it is, however, the basis of his motivation to discuss his own view of language and reality. This starting point may be considered to be of direct relevance for the importance of the methodology of any assessment of Sahara Bhsya. $abara's opponent calls it simply a futile task, 3 while Sabara points out, "It is rather significant,4 because even those who know much
1. S. Bh. l.l.l 2. MI. sO. 1.1.1 (see text p. 132). 3. S. Bh. 1.1.1 (see text p. 132). 4. This belongs to the answer according to Umbeka, as E. FRAUWALLNER points out in his edition of SabarasvmVs Bhsyam zu den Mimtpsstren I. 1. 1-5. in: FRAUWALLNER, E., Materialien, p. 17, note 5.
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Hermeneutics and Language have divergent opinions about dharma. Some call one thing dharma and some another thing. If now a man acts without due consideration by acquiring one (opinion) or another, he might ruin himself and fall into misfortune. Dharma^ thus, ought to be inquired into, for it brings man to the highest good. This is our thesis." 5
With these answers Sabara characterizes the problem of our investigation into hermeneutics and language when he points to the fact of divergent views of an object and of the consequent implications. In other words the various opinions on dharma have a different impact on people. It is not simply a matter of blindly accepting or rejecting an opinion, but it is a question of knowledge which has its bearing on and its relevance to man. Moreover, this problem of hermeneutics and language can be noticed easily in the structure of the dialogue(s) in the whole Sbara Bhsya, especially with regard to Vedic and nonVedic textual references. What is maintained by one partner of a dialogue may be unfamiliar or unknown to his listener. On account of this unfamiliarity and ignorance (and perhaps also unacceptability) there is an estrangement with regard to the speech, or textual reference of the dialogue. However, the persistence of the speaker in maintaining his own view, even though it is estranged from the listener (i.e. unfamiliar to him) to some extent, overcomes this estrangement. By persistently maintaining to a reasonable extent his own position, there is a possibility of the listener becoming familiar with the speaker's view and thereby there is the overcoming of the original estrangement with regard to what was said. The strangeness and unfamiliarity of what was said is taken over by the listener. In other words, he acquires, on account of the speaker's persistence, what in fact he originally resisted and this acquisition means accepting, from a new perspective, what at the outset appeared unfamiliar and strange to him, or was even unknown. Where such an acquisition takes place there is the implementation, performance and action of 'understanding^. Understanding does not necessarily mean the abandonment or fixation of views of
5. S. Bh. 1.1.1 (see text p. 133).
Language as the Core of Hermeneutics
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the partners of the dialogue but takes place as a mutual response to and as an assessment of the views expressed by each partner. It is this constitutive, positive element in the structure of a dialogue which characterizes the hermeneutical problem with regard to reality and language. In fact, this characteristic is disclosed by and in Sahara's starting point; jijns, s hi tasya jntum icch. The real significance and contribution for hermeneutics is expressed by this statement of Sabara especially in relation to overcoming the estrangement of dialogue on the basis and implementation of understanding. Sabara's concern, which is hermeneutical insofar as it is concerned with the wish and urge (icch) to know (jntum) an object (tasya), namely dharma, is expressed by the term jijns. Hermeneutics connotes the ideas of estrangement and overcoming it on the basis of understanding. This is, on a closer examination, evident in the term 'jijns' as expressed in the implied tension between 'to know it' (tasya jntum) and the 'striving' (icch). In other words, ^hermeneutics' is considered to be identical with 'jijns\ i.e., 'jntum icch\ Moreover the essence of hermeneutics as 'understanding' is evident in the meanings of the above terms as expressed and connoted by the root jn : to know, to become acquainted with, to understand, to apprehend, to ascertain, to investigate, to acknowledge, to engage in (tmanepada)* What is of direct relevance in this context for Sabara is the significance of language with regard to understanding what in fact is to be understood. Consequently an investigation into hermeneutics with reference to Sbara Bhsya must take into consideration Sabara's view of language and reality as regards its significance for and contribution to hermeneutics. Language and Reality The point at issue at the very outset not consist in discussing details of the or rules of jijns, but in pointing out core and importance of hermeneutics and reality with regard to sabda. 2.
of Sbara Bhsya does possible interpretations what touches the very : the place of language
6. MONIER-WILLIAMS, Dictionary, p. 425, col. 2.
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Hermeneutics and
Language
According to the explanation of sabda (sdhusabda) in Sbara Bhsya, language seems to be viewed as an operative system of permanent symbols which are signifying units. Though Sahara admits the fact and role of a 'symbol-language' as the product of man's effort in communication, he rejects strongly that the nature of language is bound to any convention.7 Sabda is not based on convention nor subject to human or divine construction. A 'symbol-language' as a human technical system is preceded by sabda and consequently by language itself. For instance, the designation of an object as directly referring to some particular object presupposes necessarily language itself on the one hand and a common understanding of it among some people on the other. A 'symbol-language' which is due to convention, based on or characterized by perfect technical signs, for example, 'mathematical symbols' or 'grammatical symbols', is obviously contrary to Sahara's view of the nature of language. Nonetheless, the term 'symbol-language' may be maintained in accordance with Sabara in the sense that words are linguistic signs. They are, as we shall see, multidimensional or polyvalent.8 Sabara, consistent with his realism, insists that language is perceived in and as symbols. A symbol consists in the correct set of phonemes, i.e. sdhusabda. Thus symbols are signifying units which are in relationship with reality. These signifying units are linguistically analysable terms of human speech. They are the empirically perceptible link of this relationship and are also within the sphere of human experience. Whoever carefully examines the possibility to arrive at the signifying units of speech is driven to the conclusion that the ability to arrive at them presupposes an application of language itself. The perceptible signifying units which are the link between language and reality are themselves arrived at by a linguistic operation. This operation, however, is not on the same level of human experience as with man's ability to invent signifying units. In other words, the analysable units of speech in themselves presuppose a nature of language which is not grounded on human experience. Thus
7. cf., above pp. 45-47. 8. cf. below pp. 104-108.
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Sahara's emphasis that the relationship between language and reality is not and cannot be established by anyone is of crucial importance. It is this relationship precisely that is constitutive of language and reality by its very nature. Hence language is not the result of a mere expression of the knowledge or understanding of some particular persons, nor is it the outcome of the impact of ideas or concrete experience which ignores convention. The intrinsic nature of language thus cannot be the product of imagination or concrete experience. Sahara's way of proceeding via sense perception to arrive at the nature of language is obvious. Whilst he is untiring in his emphasis on sense perception as the ground of verification and falsification, the senses themselves, however, are subject to the intrinsic autpattika relation between language and reality. Inasmuch as language and reality are autpattika, and further, inasmuch as the senses share the autpattika relation, the sense organs, for Sabara, do not form the- basis for the intrinsic nature of language, even at the instance of spoken, heard or written language. Nonetheless, the relevance of the sense organs with regard to language lies in their capacity of being in direct contact with reality; they perceive what is revealed as being identical with what is actually sensed. Thus the senses are in fact constitutive for understanding reality through language, but are insufficient for understanding the nature of the essence of language and reality themselves. Further, the autpattika relation is not a mere mental construction or hypothesis, since it is the direct, authentic and original contact without any meditation between the object, understood as such on the one hand and the permanently available sdhusahda in human speech on the other. Insofar as the sdhusabda has come down to us by tradition and has been maintained within the context of life, the autpattika relation between sabda and artha may be said to be the same through tradition. This link is permanently perceptible in tradition and is explained in the outline of sabda/krti with regard to the individual and class. The autpattika relation is not itself verifiable by sense perception, but is grounded on inference, which for Sabara is in any case directly based on sense perception. Even to talk about the autpattika relation is to presup-
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pose it. Sahara does not fail to recognize its significance. Sabda can be recognized as the same because of the permanence of the perceptible set of phonemes and its consistent root in reality. Thus language and reality which imply each other in concrete experience can be apprehended and known by man. Further, to ignore the basis of language, namely its union with reality as a whole, runs the risk of misconstruing language as a relational system, that is to be found at random. In fact, it is simply impossible for Sabara to consider language as a mere relational system. True, language is inseparably related to reality,, as regards its existence and function. But language has its very foundation and origin in the simultaneous, mutual co-existence with reality itself. This relation is the central point of all insight into the very nature of language itself and no question can lead Sabara beyond this point. For language does not disclose an existence which is independent of its relation with reality. Both language and reality give rise to svayampratyaya,. cognition by its very nature, out of itself. Obviously, Sabara is concerned here with more than a mere structural correspondence between reality and language. It is here where the work of Sabara becomes most fruitful for hermeneutics. Although Sabara neither uses nor elaborates the word satyam (truth), yet in keeping with the tradition of Indian thought, one cannot but say that satyam (truth) is revealed in the realization that language and reality are mutually and simultaneously inter-related. Whilst this is Sahara's link with the spirit of the tradition of Indian thinking,9 the term satyam is not to be used without a very significant qualification if its application is not to be misunderstood in the context of Sbara Bhsya : Satyam is not a concrete substance and thus cannot be investigated empirically which, nonetheless, emerges as the
9. R.C. PANDEYA writes in his epilogue to The Problem of Meaning in Indian Philosophy: "The pure Existence manifests itself in the form of words and objects (nma-rpa). It is the source of words and objects. Words and objects are the appearances of the Real Existence. Spoken words are related to objects in our conversation because of the Real Existence. The Real is the relation between words and objects and It exists in them" (p. 279).
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essence of the outline in the explanation of sabda and artha in Sahara Bhsya. Satyam thus seems to feature in the autpattika (inborn or intrinsic) relation, in the coexistence of sabda and artha.,In other words, the totality of language (which is what can be expressed, indicated and understood) may be said simply to be the following : It is the truth {satyam) of the knowledge that the presence of artha/reality is identical with the presence of sabda/language which are in an autpattika relation. It is the truth (satyam) of the knowledge that reality is identical with (or involved in) sabda and artha which are in autpattika relation. In this knowledge or realization satyam reveals itself. If this is the case, how can satyam (truth) be communicated ? In other words, is this communication the exemplary function of language ? Sahara's experience with language shows a propensity for communication to a certain extent. His elaborate enquiry into dharma shows the aspect of communication partly in and through the oral and written tradition in which the Vedas and smrtis have been handed down through centuries. Whatever has come down through tradition is not an object as such but in keeping with Sahara Bhsya, it may be said to be an experience of communication handed down in and through language. Sahara's explanation of language is within communication itself and he continues this communication in his dialogue through and about language. The question to be asked now is whether or not language functions by its very nature as some kind of a tool for man. For Sabra language is not and cannot be used in communication like an instrument, which by its very nature can be put aside after its use. The well-known persistence in regarding language as a mere medium or tool of communication does not conform with Sahara's view of language at all. The persistence of language as a fool is rather closely linked with the view of the various theories of conventional language. They have brought into currency the attitude towards language, whose function is primarily or exclusively communicative. The concept of language as a mere means for communication reduces and limits the scope of language to a labelling of objects by objectifying the 'communicative' aspect of language, whereby it becomes the handy tool in and for a referential system.
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It may be asked further whether in fact the rise of knowledge is due to 'the use of language by man' or due to 'the use of man by language through Sabda9. In fact according to Sahara, sabda speaks primordially, i.e. as a signifying unit, it makes known something (S. Bh. I.I.5.). Consequently, language itself speaks by its very nature as sabda. Man is thus within the realm of language and is specifically addressed to by it. Hence man is challenged by language to respond, i.e. to speak. His speech is the manifestation of sabda, of language. If sabda is known, akrti is known, i.e. reality is known in and through both of them. Hence one could say : reality as Ianguage speaks, i.e. makes itself known. Reality is presented and not re-presented by language. This is of central importance for hermeneutics. For the very nature of language is to be seen within the function of showing and indicating, which of course can become communicative. This function of language, to make known something, does not characterize language as a mere instrument or tool. In considering language and its function with reference to Sbara Bhsya, there seems to be evidence of a primordial language to which human language responds. In other words, human language would be nothing else than a response to a primordial language (based and grounded in sabda) whereby reality reveals itself. However, to speak of reality as a primordial language has its value and significance only if it is also based on human perceptible language. On this fact rests Sahara's explanation of sabda and thus his view of language. According to Sabara one cannot speak of two types of sabda within one sdhusabda because it is aikarpya (unity of form) and niravayava (without parts). The fact, that a sdhusabda is sometimes available only among Mlecchas (S. Bh. 1.3.10) does not lead to the conclusion that there are two sets of languages. As already seen, Sabara emphasizes that one cannot maintain that there are two sets of languages, namely, a sacred Vedic language and a profane non-Vedic language. Moreover, there is no evidence in Sbara Bhsya for the possibility of constructing through analysis a primordial language, which is set apart from human language(s). Human language and the so-called primordial language cannot be considered independently with regard to the
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nature and function of language as a whole. To consider human language and the primordial language as separate entities is to reduce them to mere concepts. Rather they have to be considered as two inseparable aspects of language as a whole in and with the function of revealing and manifesting reality as such. Human speech is a response to revealing reality through and as language, whereby the same sabda is present and manifest as a signifying unit. If man does not interfere with the status of reality by this speech,10 he is involved in the proper responseability whereby human speech becomes a valid and not only a meaningful manifestation of language and reality. With this in mind the fundamental function of language, i.e., to show, to indicate, to make known and to present, cannot be reduced to the function of a mere instrument. One may say that the very function of language according to bara Bhsya will be misunderstood if one does not respect the insight that language and reality as a whole are in fact within the realm of human experience as such. Language and reality as a whole are satyam, as other Indian thinkers might explicitly say. This is precisely Sahara's concern. For the origin, the realm and the goal of man's experience, i.e., of all human thought and speech, are necessarily expressed by considering language and reality as satyam. 3. Hermeneutics through Language Language and reality are the very core of hermeneutics according to Sabara, that is to say of jijns, i.e., jntum icch. Moreover, language as a facet of human experience deserves special attention because the realm of language has a broader scope than the realm of direct sense perception. Whereas only the drffa dimension of reality is operative in the latter, both the dr$\a and adr$\a dimension of reality operate in the former. Thus reality as a whole will always remain in eclipse until iabda, i.e. language, prepares man for the proper state of jijns. In fact, language is the very foundation ofjijns, since
10. According to Sahara it seems that man can in fact interfere with the status of reality, as it is evident for instance from S. Bh. 1.3.4 (Serial No. 40, p. 82).
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Hermeneutics
and Language
it is the real support of one's understanding, i.e., of what has been understood and of what can be understood. In other words, jhtum icch arises out of the tension between the 'known', and the 'unknown, not yet known', 11 and it may simply be viewed as the wish and urge to know the real status of language and reality, i.e., satyam. Whenever reality is not obvious enough for man, estrangement from and familiarity with the object in question call for jijns, so that a new view may emerge. This view, however, is not a mere replacement of the previous ones, but their integration which is the evidence of anew view, which consequently emerges. This integration seems to be possible only if man speaks and listens with the 'right attitude', which is in fact called for by language itself. To understand language means to stand under its spell consciously. Then the implementation of understanding is possible. It will be without fault, if it is the realization of language and reality as one unit, i.e. as a whole. Language shows and indicates reality by its very nature, out of itself, because the relation between language and reality is not subsidiary but constitutive. Language and reality as already seen are satyam and satyam is in fact what is to be known or understood (tasya jnatum). Language is . thus the guiding principle for hermeneutics, and there is simply no hermeneutical activity that is set apart from language. Bearing this in mind, 'the right attitude to listen and to speak' is to 'stand consciously under the spell of language' which is characterized by language and that in itself is constituted through sabda. It is this proper disposition of man to attain the very nature (svabhva) of the object itself that is present through sabda which can be called hermeneutical awareness. Such an awareness points out that language by its very nature neither objectifies nor subjectifies the status of reality which is presented through sabda. Hermeneutical awareness, when authentic, sees language and reality as a whole. For Sabara language
11. cf. N.S.S. RAMAN: "...the need for a hermeneutic arises out of a state of dissatisfaction". (The Language of Myth in Religion, in: Journal of Dharma, 2 (1977) 372-381, p. 381).
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simply presents what actually is. Hermeneutics thus does not, as it should not, manipulate what language presents which ultimately presents the core of the autpattika relation between sabda and artha, satyam. Hermeneutics, therefore, ceases to be genuine if it becomes an aid to a mere reproduction of an image or of a mental construction; it rests on direct contact with reality. Actually the idea of a conceptual production or reproduction of what goes against the status of reality is according to Sabara already rejected at the first stage of hermeneutics, by hermeneu tical awareness. Moreover, hermeneutics is the constant refusal of a sheer linguistic grasping and establishing of meaning, which are the outcome of considering language as a mere instrument or tool of convenience In fact, hermeneutics sustains the intrinsic function of language, namely to speak, i.e. to make known. It aims thereby, at overcoming the lack of understanding. It overcomes the tension created by a (partial) estrangement or ignorance of the object on the one hand and a familiarity with it on the other, as understanding takes place. Whenever the object, which is presented in and through sabda, cannot be 'perceived' as it is indicated or shown, hermeneutics is called for. Hermeneutics is constitutive of understanding itself because it overcomes misunderstanding and ignorance. What has been strained and distorted or perhaps not even entered into one's horizon, attains the status of self-evidence through hermeneutics, which makes it possible for the object to be revealed in the way in which sabda speaks or makes known. According to abara, an object is revealed by its sabda or by its rpa. The object with regard to its nature, significance and relevance does not attain a 'second existence' on a different level nor does it receive any additional physical or spiritual features through sabda. Bhsya 1. 1. 2012 strongly indicates that to know something does not involve its simultaneous physical presence. The same mother, wife or father are present either through the specific sabda (though physically not manifest) or through their body, specific rpa (though verbally not manifest). If one speaks of one's mother, there is a real presence
12. cf. Serial No. 77 (p. 61) and serial No. 80 {p. 62)
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of the mother. Speech as a verbal manifestation of her does not involve directly any physical manifestation of her. And if one sees the mother, the view as an empirical perception of her does not involve directly any verbal manifestation of her. Nonetheless, there is the presence of the same mother. Both the sabda ('mother') and the rpa (physical form of her) that are perceived have their support in reality, i. e. the mother. Whether one knows the artha (object) being present through the word or through the physical form, it does not assume a new physical or spiritual presence. That is to say, one is through language directly involved in that which really is, namely, the mother. If the sabda is manipulated in the response/speech, then the object fails to be validly present. Hermeneutics, therefore, does not manipulate this presence, but it appreciates the physical and the verbal manifestations as two modes or ways of revealing the same thing, which is really present. Hence it neither infers nor imposes a second physical or spiritual existence of the object which itself is to be known. The object which is present is not limited by its appearances or manifestations, because for Sabara both of them are real, since satyam discloses itself in language and reality. To understand what can be understood is therefore to be in direct contact with the object. It has its basis in the autpattika-rel&tionship between sabda and artha and it will lead to no further estrangement. The real import of hermeneutics thus is not an assertion of an objectifying or idealizing languageas if language would interfere as an intermediary with the status of realitybut rather is the direct assertion of the object itself. This hermeneutical feature of understanding is neither accidental nor incidental, but intrinsically rooted in the revealing character of language itself. Sabara emphasizes this point in the explanation of language with regard to non-empirical objects i.e., the adrtfa dimension of reality. Sabara abandons all descriptive speech of an object in the adr$ta dimension without in fact abandoning the object itself. Though the senses cannot perceive objects in the adrtfa dimension of reality, Bhsya 10 A23 13 shows that in hermeneutical
13. cf. Serial No. 52 (pp. 26-27).
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awareness one does not suppose the existence of a devat in a mere verbal form or expression. But hermeneutical awareness points to the (inseparable) wholeness of language and reality by indicating the actual presence of a devat in its invisible nature. Sabda does not function as a mere designating power of something which is in fact apart from sabda. Genuine hermeneutics consequently, will not interfere with the status of reality, for example by giving way to certain opinions which presuppose that language does objectify in the sense of making devat an object of the dr$ta dimension. In other words, sabda is not used as a referential term which might be applied within a philosophical or scientific system, which exactly defines and determines an object {devat). The knowledge of the presence of an object through sabda is not to be equated with the mere apprehension of a term within a conceptual framework, which is imposed on language. Rather knowledge through sabda is the knowledge of the actual object itself, which in the case of devat is the knowledge through sabda of an object in the adrsta dimension of reality. Consequently, there is no estrangement in the proper knowledge through sabda between the one who knows and the object to be known. This means that sabda and the object to which it is related are not alienated. Thus it is important for hermeneutics to note that any description which does not present the object in a way in which it actually is, can be misleading, i.e., it interferes with the status of reality. Further, whatever is based on imagination or on improper motives leads to estrangement in acquiring the actual presence of the object. In fact according to Sahara's view of language, hermeneutics will not suggest, even per viam negationis, any attributes of an invisible object.14 A manner of speech which proceeds to give attributes to an object by qualifying it negatively does not make visible, what in fact for Sahara is invisible. A 'distinctive' feature of an invisible object has no more value than a mere superimposition,
14. Nonetheless, the nityatva of tman is pointed out in Sahara Bhsya 1.1.5. per viam negationis, but Sahara does not in the least seem actually to describe tman which is adrs'ta. The use of the negative in Sahara Bhsya with reference to tman seems to be the only way in which for the opponent the existence of tman can be affirmed.
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even when it is denied in the final analysis. No description of the invisible leads to proper knowledge of reality, because any attribute (anthropological, anthropomorphic or per viam negationis) interferes with the status of the adrsta dimension. Hermeneutics as traceable in Sbara Bhsya maintains that a pure empirical view that leads to a denial of the devat, i.e., of the adrsta dimension, cannot be maintained. Nor does a pure metaphysical view lead to the affirmation of the presence of the devat beyond language and reality. That is to say, reality in totality cannot be known from a standpoint that is absolutely empirical or absolutely metaphysical. A denial of the invisible dimension, i.e. a restriction to the merely empirically measurable reality, is as fatal as any mental projection into the invisible reality. Hermeneutics, insofar as it is prior to any systematic approach, must see reality both in its drsta and adrsta dimensions and as being fundamentally rooted in language itself. The presence of the object itself through language is important for hermeneutics, as already pointed out with regard to the drsta and adrsta dimensions of reality. This is no less significant for 'understanding' than any view which can be obtained through the rpa of the object which, in fact, is not known with regard to the adrsta dimension of reality. Sabara owes his hermeneutical importance especially to the fact that he realizes the presense of the object itself really and not ideally through language. (As it has been pointed out with reference to the drsta and adrsta dimension of reality, this is no less significant for 'understanding' than any view which can be obtained through the rpa of the object which in fact is not known with regard to the adrsta dimension.) It may be said without exaggeration, that to acquire an object, really and not ideally present, without alienating it from its real status is the main target of hermeneutics. The presence of the object is itself grounded in language and reality. They show and indicate rather the object itself, i.e., its svabhva, to the extent to which it can be understood actually. Jijns or hermeneutics, therefore, does not entertain statements allegedly leading towards truth as if they were signposts meant to lead towards what really was, is and can be. Language shows directly what is to be understood.
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Hermeneutics is primarily not interested in statements as having a value in themselves in abstracto, but rather is directly concerned with satyam itself, which is present in and through the statement. Hermeneutics, thus, involves an attitude whereby man does not consider language as a by-product of social convenience and necessity only as a way towards satyam. Satyam is not split into a meaning here and a being there. Sahara's approach calls for a hermeneutical awareness in which man participates fully and is entirely involved in the realization of satyam (truth). Hermeneutics, thus, becomes not a mere intellectual endeavour which can be considered apart or alienated from the individual's involvement in reality and his commitment to what really is. Hermeneutics is for Sabara, as indeed it should be, a part of the individual's concrete existence that is constituted by whatever he understands. When the cognition of what is known through hermeneutics cannot be falsified and the knowledge gained by hermeneutics therefore is not denied in the actual performance of one's life, authentic understanding has taken place. That is to say, understanding of language (through hermeneutics) does not stop only on the level of head and heart, but finds its completion on the level of commitment and action. In this way, reality and language as such include and encompass man and receive their significance and realization in a hermeneutical response to life. Hermeneutics, thus, overcomes the alienation between man and the object of both the drsta and adrsta dimensions of reality.16 The relevance of hermeneutics for Sabara is characterized primarily not by the person who makes a written or oral statement, but by what in fact is actually stated. In point of view, Sabara does not seem to distinguish between written and oral speech, insofar as he is concerned with the acquisition of knowledge through language. It is obvious that hermeneutics is fundamental not only to the understanding of oral statements, but also to that of written statements. In the dialogue with the
15. S. Bh. 4.3.15 seems to point out man's alienation with reference to man's desire for happiness and thus pointing to svarga wherein the alienation is overcome. . Bh. 1.1.1 refers to alienation from the Veda through a so-called tradition (cf. below pp. 102-104).
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opponent Sahara iterates Vedic and non-Vedic passages in support of his own standpoint.16 He also quotes the texts in order to show their specific relevance, which means that the texts are not and should not be alienated from our concrete existence. Both oral and written statements are equally significant for hermeneutics, as understanding is not restricted to either of them. Though Sahara does not seem to pay special attention to literature or to the written form of language, it may be pointed out in this context that the written form may be considered in general to be the 'fixation' of its oral form. A written record of an oral statement at first sight seems to be an exact reproduction of what has been said. Language thus seems to serve as a mere instrument in a written form. However, the speaker or writer of any text of the past is not physically present to enable a reader to observe the actual manifestation of sabda through his efforts, for example, of sound, rhythm, intonation, gestures etc. It is important to note for jijhs or hermeneutics that in fact no reproduction of the actual performance of speech is possible; nor is this in a sense absolutely necessary in the understanding of a written text. Nonetheless, certain features like intonation and accent are presupposed for a proper understanding of a written text. A written text does not give any scope for any arbitrary imulse on the part of a reader of a written text. Moreover, it is free from all contingency and affectivity. It requires an openness which as against any arbitrariness, adjusts itself to what is presented in the text itself. What is to be understood basically rests on the autpatiika relation between sabda and artha and not, for example, on an artistic activity which attempts to reproduce the text in its original form. The emphasis thus is not on the attitude and behaviour of its original production, which is obtained in a specific situation. Proper understanding takes place in fact with
16. The sources of these passages have been traced with ample textual reference for example by D.V. GARGE, E. FRAUWALLNER and F. ZANGENBERG (Cf. GARGE, D.V., Citations FRAUWALLNER, E., Materialien FRAUWALLNER, F.., Mimmsstram I, 1.6-23; ZANGENBERG, F., Sabarah).
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due respect to what is proper to the text itself, i.e., to sabda and artha, and to the reader's familiarity with it. Since a written text offers no explanation apart from what is intrinsic to it, it may be said that the estrangement between the speaker and the listener (as, for example, between Sabara and his opponent) with regard to sabda may find its extreme form in a scripture. In other words, on account of this extreme estrangement scriptures demand a hermeneutical activity, whereby the reader adjusts himself to reality as it is manifested in and by
sabda.
A written text has the authentic and significant function of sabda, i.e. to show or to indicate, The presence of the object, namely what is to be understood through sabda, has still to be acquired by integrating it into the reader's present situation and experience; the reader invariably is in a completely different environment and he may be in a different socio-linguistic context. In other words, a reader who wants to know a text is faced with the task of relating the text to his own experience and vice versa, which may in fact be the intrinsic challenge of the text itself. In fact, a scripture is not a mere record or a mere collection of thoughts, nor is it a mere piece of literature which has been accidentally left behind by somebody in the past as a museum piece of traditional value. The proper understanding of a text is thus far from a mere polishing up of an (old) idea or the mere restoration of a message which has been stumbled upon. It is not (only) a recapitulation of what has already taken place or an assumption of what is still to take place. It is itself a participation in reality here and now. Thus in hermeneutics man rather participates anew in reality itself. What is to be understood in a text is accessible in a new perspective or dimension, i.e., the reader goes through a process of assimilating and appropriating the message of a text. In other words, what is presented in a text is known without estrangement, as language allows the object to speak of itself. This view of jijns neither contradicts nor abolishes Sabara's view of 'tradition' or the vindication of sabda as a pramria. Jijns, according to Sabara, does not exhaust itself by simply reporting a statement which might be in an ancient language
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and which may seem to have lost its relevance to present-day life and thus appears to be useless and meaningless. Nor does one lend support to the expression of one's own view if it goes against the proper understanding of a text. Both attitudes would go against jijns by ignoring the required 'openness' in man as a primary condition for understanding the object presented through sabda. Otherwise its impact may be hindered or distorted by the listener or reader. This means that in order not to distort the meaning of a text one may even be required to go against traditional teaching. A passage in Bhsya 1.1. 1. with reference to tradition (mnya) may throw some light on this issue, though the passage refers not only to the Vedic texts but to the result of a sacrifice as well. In the context of replying to the opponent's argument with reference to tradition Sabara says : "We shall transgress this tradition. For, if we do not transgress it, we would make nonsensical the Veda, which is full of sense. One sees, indeed, that the sense (purpose) of it consists in making known the ritual act (karmari). And the revered men who are learned in sacrificial lore do not speak of a result as a consequence of a mere reading of it." 17 According to Sabara the injunction "one who has learnt the Veda should take a bath" 18 (indicating the end of studentship) is distorted by the opponent taking it to be that the student return home from the teacher's house with immediate effect. The opponent's understanding is, in fact, not based on sabda on which the authentic tradition is based and which should be maintained. Thus Sabara goes against the tradition which is maintained by the opponent as regards what is to be understood. According to Sabara the injunction cannot be understood to mean an immediate return, because one does not pay sufficient attention to the text itself by ignoring the context. The context is
17. S. Bh. 1.1.1. (see text p. 133) 18. S. Bh. 1.1.1 (see text p. 133). Sabara refers in this passage to the Veda, although the text quoted is from Baudhyanagrhyastram 2.6.I. However, there is a remote possibility that Sabara quotes it from a lost Vedic source.
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not merely a larger vague text, but is fundamentally related to what can be understood to be an actual part of it, i.e., intrinsic to the text itself. The injunction according to Sabara is to be understood in the context of the statement "next the enquiry into dharma"19 in connection with an insight into the significance of the Vedas. This understanding is emphasised by Sabara to mean not an immediate termination of one's studentship after learning the Vedas, but rather to dedicating oneself to the enquiry into dharma. Thus the discussion illustrates that though the opponent's opinion is traditionally rooted in actual practice, it should not, however, contradict what is revealed by the text itself. In other words, Sabara opposes a so-called tradition which seems to be the impact of a mere vindication of a text but not of its understanding, i.e., of an understanding not grounded in sabda itself. Moreover, the above passage indicates that jijns consistently refuses to be involved merely in an intellectual grasp of meaning and a linguistic understanding of a text. The vindication of sabda in hermeneutical awareness does not presuppose that what can be seen in a tradition is in principle true; Whilst the emphasis on the presence of the object through sabda is extremely important in this context for jijns as the core of understanding, understanding itself is not to be reached fully by mere attestation, acknowledgement or ratificiation of an object. The manifestation of an object through sabda does not withhold its actual impact on the reader. The crux of understanding is thus strictly speaking not a matter of possessing correct interpretations of texts as reflections of reality which thereby alienate knowledge, consequently the reader, from the object to be known, An interpretation it may be said, is not an additional feature of understanding, but is rather within the intrinsic performance of jijns itself. Genuine hermeneutics is thus the real response to what is and that includes also the response to actual life. Dharma, for example, can be known only through the indication of sabda. Although dharma is presented in the unbroken tradition of the Vedas, it is not an object in itself that is handed
19. MI. su. 1.1.1. (see text p. 133).
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over from one generation to the other by the scripture. Dharma rather is to be acquired anew at each instance of hermeneutical awareness. This continuous acquisition is itself constitutive of tradition. In other words, tradition seems to be the very act of conveying, or 'giving over to'. To be hermeneutically aware of tradition as presented through language is directly to participate in tradition itself, insofar as the awareness actually responds to the challenge of sabda or language. The response, thus, is an understanding which is not exhausted by a mere comprehension of data. The Veda, in fact any text, therefore is not to be considered as a mere reference book. On the contrary, it may be said that any text in a very basic sense has an actualizing effect on the reader, as it has been pointed out by Sabara especially with reference to codan that it (an injunction of a text) incites one to action. Real knowledge, in fact, is only attained, when man's outlook and performance (i.e., his very life) are 'shaped' by what is to be understood, e.g., dharma. In other words, what is to be understood becomes evident in actual life i.e., man is constitutive of his very understanding. The gulf between what is to be known and the one who knows- is overcome in the knowing, wherein no split can be observed between satyam (truth) on one hand and language and reality on the other. Direct participation in the dimensions of reality takes place through sabda in hermeneutical awareness. This, in fact, is the process of attaining satyam which seems to be permanently enjoyed in the state which Sabara calls svarga (happiness). For Sabara the attainment and realization of satyam and the consequent enjoyment of svarga depend on the knowledge of dharma which is given through sabda. Yet there seem to be more possibilities of understanding an object than sabda actually offers. The various opinions on dharma and svarga are connected with the problem of the multidimensional or polyvalent sabda. (Dharma\ for example, presents 'the highest good' and 'duty' 20 , 'svarga' may speak of a 'region', '16-year-old girls' or 'happiness' 21 and sabda itself was seen variously to mean 'sound',
20. cf. above p. 12n. 21. cf. above pp. 21-23.
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*word', 'noise, etc.22 It is the inherent multidimensional meaning of a sdhusabda which still demands further clarification for hermeneutics. Sabara maintains in this context the characteristics of a sabda, though he characterizes sabda on account of the artha which may be primary, secondary or etymological. How Sabara arrives at this distinction can be seen in many passages23 and especially in Bhsya 3.2.1 when he says : "What is known directly from the sabda (itself) is the prior or primary artha (object/meaning). It is called mukhya (primary, at the head), because it is like mukha (face, forepart). What (as a) further meaning becomes really intelligible from a recognized artha through some relation or the other is jaghanya (secondary, hindmost), because it is \\ktjaghana (hips and loins, hindmost). It is (also) called gauna because of its relation to guna"24c This distinction between a primary and a secondary artha is the reason for characterizing the agnisabda as a gaunasabda. However when Sabara speaks of the nature of sabda itself, he makes it clear that there is only the agnisabda, i.e., the one and the same sdhusabda. The hermeneutical problem is clearly pointed out in his illustration in Bhsya 1.1.5 : "And even if it (the phonemes) would be secondary {gauna), In order to avoid a sabda in a secondary sense, one cannot, because of that, invent an object that is not known by sense perception etc. (i.e., another pramna). When one says 'the young fellow is a fire' {'agnir mnavaka') one does not ascertain, just so that the word fire is not in a secondary sense (of brilliance), that 'the young fellow is on fire' (i.e., a fire itself) {'jvalana eva mnavaka')."25
22. cf. above pp. 39-41. 23. cf. S. Bh. 1.2.10-11.15; 1.2.9-10; 1.4.23-24; 3.2.1; 3.3.14, 16 6.1.44-52; 6.7.1-2 etc. 24. S. Bh. 3.2.1 (see text p. 148). 25. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (see text p. 133).
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One has to keep in mind for hermeneutics that the actual burning fire which is itself perceptible to the sense organs does not have a second (spiritual or physical) existence through and as against the sdhusabda, i.e. agni. The presence of the fire itself can become manifest with regard to its svabhava in and through the sdhusabda which is therefore called mukhya. Moreover, the nature, significance and relevance of the sdhusabda, namely agni, is not limited to and by this primary manifestation, because experience shows that in a statement agni does not necessarily present the most characteristic feature of an individual object (the rpa of a burning fire itself) which is related to its specific form {krti). Whatever sense or meaning can be discovered in agnisabda, e.g., brilliance, is intrinsically related to the krti, i.e., it has its real support in agni, the fire itself. If this meaning (brilliance) belongs really, but not necessarily, to some object other than the fire itself (e.g., boy, sun etc.) and becomes present in and through the agnisabda, then the sdhusabda, namely agni is called jaghanyasabda. In fact Sabara does not distinguish between jaghanyasabda and gaunasabda, because both are related to a single specific feature which is common to a certain extent (on account of some relation or the other) to fire itself and the object spoken of. The multidimensional meaning of agnisabda, which is always characterised by aikarpya, is evident in the different objects to which it is related, for example, to man, sun, fire etc.26 Besides, it may be noted that a sabda may have more than one primary meaning, for example, on the ground of sense perception agni means 'fire' and with reference to the adrsta dimension it means a specific 'devat\ which cannot be known from the fire itself. Moreover, agni in the secondary meaning of 'sacrifice' is related to the primary meaning of agni as devat.
26. K.K. RAJA points out in this context: "The actual referent of the word has to be taken as different from its normal one, but in some way connected with it, either through similarity or through some other relation. This function of the word, denoting a referent different from its normal and primary one, but somehow related to it, is called laksan\ other terms like gaum, vrtti and bhakti are also used to refer to this secondary significative function of words." {Theories, p. 231). Sabara, in fact, uses all the above mentioned terms in his Bhsya.
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The procedure in distinguishing what is to be taken as primary or secondary with regard to a sdhusabda and its object may be a complicated one. However, the etymological meaning or the common usage of a sabda may be helpful and even decisive for the proper understanding of what is to be taken as primary and what as secondary. Moreover, various nyyas or principles of textual interpretations are applied and formulated in Sbara Bhsya in order to facilitate one's correct understanding27. However, these considerations, rules and maxims laid down and scattered through the whole Bhsya seem to be rather the outcome of an analysis, which is preceded by understanding itself. The nyyas no doubt contribute to the exegesis of the texts, but their mere application can hardly be called hermeneutics. Nonetheless, these nyyas may be considered on the same level as linguistic, grammatical and logical rules in establishing a text and thereby its meaning. Whilst a theoretical support (the nyyas) may stimulate to a certain extent a hermeneutical awareness, its application, however, may be considered to be an integral part of hermeneutical activity itself. In other words, the nyyas in themselves are not sufficient for hermeneutics, insofar as they do not take into account the reader's involvement. Genuine hermeneutics, on the other hand, should take into account not only what is proper to the text itself, but also to the reader's concrete experience in life. This investigation is concerned primarily with hermeneutics and language and it may be sufficient to note that a sdhusabda according to Sabara presents an object, which has its support in reality itself. The support in reality can be discovered in many ways as regards the sabda involved. But it is important, that a secondary meaning, e.g., 'brilliance' of agnisabda which is always in relation to the primary 'fire', shines forth through the agnisabda itself, if the primary meaning contradicts sense perception, as, for example, in ' 4 theyoung fellow is fire", then agnl is incompatible with the primary meaning of agnisabda.
27. Cf. GARGE, D.V., Citations, chapter III, "A Statement of Critical Evaluation of the Principles of Textual Interpretation (Nyyas) employed by Jaimini and Sabara", pp. 252-265.
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Since the multidimensional artha is ultimately mutually coexistent with sabda in an autpattika relation, hermeneutics according to Sahara will insist on the multidimensional or polyvalent sabda itself, which presents the object in one or another sense. Any interference in the status of reality by misjudging the presence shown through sabda leads to an estrangement between a text and its proper understanding. In other words, by interfering with the status of the dimensions of reality, a meaningful sentence is not properly understood and a statement is deprived of its validity. This may be clear in the example where, as with Sahara's opponent, heaven seems to be mistaken for the (physical) presence of 16-year-old girls, or a region, whereby the gauna character of happiness, intrinsic to both heaven and girls, is violated. Although the statement "16-year-old girls are heaven" may be meaningful, what is presented in and through sabda, however, is not understood. Heaven, which belongs to the adr$ta dimension cannot be spoken of and the proper response to heaven could be only silence with regard to its krti, its specific form. Jijns or hermeneutics takes a decisive turn through the proper distinction between what is dr$ta and what is adrsta. This cannot be achieved without the proper consideration of the multidimensional or polyvalent meaning of sabda which in fact, facilitates the proper understanding of the object to be known in and through sabda. Genuine hermeneutics thus is concerned not only with the distinction of the drta and adr$ta dimensions, but also with the multidimensionality or polyvalence of sabda itself and its challenging impact on man. The real object as it presents itself through language and one's concrete experience are of central importance for the proper understanding of what is to be known, namely, the meaning and validity of a word or a text in its significance for life itself.
CHAPTER VI
MAN'S EXPERIENCE WITH LANGUAGE THROUGH HERMENEUTICS
The significance of the view of reality, language and hermeneutics may become more evident by our focussing attention on the position which man occupies in Sahara's inquiry. It is obvious that Sabara consciously or unconsciously gives man a central position, though it does not seem to be explicitly formulated in the Bhsya. Man's action are oriented towards the dr$ta and adr$ta dimensions of reality, and this reality as a whole exists for the benefit of man. Although the two dimensions are never merged into one another, they nonetheless operate together within man, especially as man exists through tman. They are in fact only accessible through man and, moreover, reality especially in its adr$ta dimension seems to be deprived of its very function without man and vice versa (this can be seen, as for example, from the function of devat, svarga and aprv). However, the consistency and meaning of reality as a whole is neither established by man nor possible without man. Man is within reality which is a challenge to his very life. According to Sabara, there is neither a human nor a divine source which could indicate proper knowledge as regards involvement of man in this reality. What is available to sense perception and language, which encompasses both the drsta and adrsta dimensions of reality, shows and indicates how man should and could be involved not only in this world, but also in the state to be attained hereafter (i.e. svarg). Man's action as a proper response to the challenge of life in both the dimensions of reality is inseparably intertwined with his knowledge of it. There is no knowledge, which in general is not accessible to man as such and which thus could not influence him.
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Nonetheless, man is never set above the sources of his knowledge which are in direct contact with the object of his knowledge. Any interference in this direct contact would annihilate the validity of the source but not its meaning. The characteristics of sabda are therefore important not only for the rationale of a theory of language, but also significant for Sabara, because of the actual impact of sabda on man's life and destiny. It may be said that in Sabara's view, man masters his life best, if he does not ignore the full import of reality which is present in and through language, i.e., when man really understands what is to be understood. Valid and meaningful speech are thus significant with regard to man who has the capacity and ability of finding out their relevance for his life. Moreover, man's participation in the realization of satyam can be viewed in the proper understanding of speech. Confusion and error in this matter mean estrangement and alienation of man from what is to be known, i.e., from what really is and can be understood. Overcoming through understanding such an estrangement and alienation from the object as such is achieved in man's proper hermeneutical endeavour', because it sustains the function of language to show and to indicate. By recognizing the nature, function and significance of language and by assessing and integrating them, it may be said that language is the core of Sabara's hermeneutical perspective which is constitutive of the life of man. The philosophical significance of understanding through hermeneutics is not primarily a question of its result for man, but lies within understanding itself and can be referred to as his experience with language through hermeneutics. The acquisition of knowledge as it is focused in the act of understanding indicates the basic structure of experience, namely the 'involvement' in something with which one is not yet familiar. Experience, thereby attempts to respond to that which is not yet known or unknown, by renouncing one's present stand. Whilst this basic structure of experience is retained in understanding, the application of the term is guided by the insight into Sbara Bhsya itself. Thus such an experience presupposes both pratyaksa (sense perception) and sabda (verbal testimony) which render intelligible the object of experience, namely the presence
Man's Experience with Language
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in and through language of an object in either the drsta or adrsta dimension of reality. How and why through hermeneutics understanding can be called an 'experience' may be better understood with reference to a few commentators on a mantra from the Rg Veda 4. 58. 3 which reads : "Four are his horns, three his feet, two his heads and seven his hands. Tied with a triple bond the bull roars loudly; a magnificient God has entered into mortals." 1 According to Sahara Bhsya 1. 2. 46 'The 'four horns' stand for the four //9/r-priests; the 'three feet' for the three Savanas (morning, midday, evening); the 'two heads' stand for the sacrificer and his wife; the 'seven hands' stand for the seven metres; the 'triple bond' refers to the three Vedas that embody the description of the 'Bull' standing for the Sacrifice, as one who brings about the desirable results (vrsabha); roravltV means 'makes a sound' and the last quarter denotes that human beings are entitled to perform sacrifices" (Translation GARGE. 2 With particular reference to the above passage and to the Bhsya as a whole the correct perception of sabda in its use is of primary importance, yet it cannot be spoken of as real knowledge, if the multidimensional or polyvalent sabda is not understood in accordance with the object as such. Sabara certainly perceived the sabda correctly, as for instance catvri srhg (four are his horns) or vrsabha ('bull') in its empirical perceptible form. Sabara does not interfere with the validity of the sabda by pointing out that he is in direct contact with a correct and authoritative gaunasabda as a signifying unit. In other words, he points out, for example, that srhg is not to be mistaken as indicating 'horns' in the sense of the actual physical form of the hard, pointed outgrowths on the heads of cattle and some other animals. According to Sabara srhg indicates the presence of Hotr-priests and vrsabha indicates
1. RV 4.58.3 (see text p. 148). 2. S. Bh. 1.2.46 (see text p. 148).
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sacrifice through the word. Is Sahara through his understanding of the mantra without error and estrangement, as pointed out in Sahara Bhsya 1.1.5 that cognition in a Vedic statement is direct perception (pratyakfas tu vedavacane pratyayah) ? Does he attain the object(s) through the influence of his partial familiarity with the multidimensional sabda and language as such, whilst the application of the gaunasabda seems to be in accordance with his concrete experience and appreciation of objects ? One may go a step further and suggest that he has no other choice than to take into full account the fact of his bias, i.e., being aware of his predisposition and previous knowledge, in his understanding of the gaunasabda. In this context it is interesting and important to give GARGE's tabulation (See pp. 113-14) of other interpretations of the Rg Veda Verse 4.58.3.3 Whilst all the above interpretations are based on the 'correct* perception of the sdhusabdas (as for example srng and vr$abha as gaunasabdas) the artha (meaning/object) related to each sdhusabda, however, is understood not only with reference to the text but also with reference to the context of the situation and experience of each interpreter. Whilst sabda makes known something, the text does not guarantee man's proper understanding of it. In other words, in spite of the fact that sabda offers valid cognition, the understanding of meaningful, and not necessarily valid, speech may arise, as for instance in the above case of vedavacana or sabdapramna, namely four /fo^r-priests (Sahara), four Vedas (Yska) or four parts of speech (Patanjali) and sacrifice (Yska, Sabara), sabda (word) (Patanjali) or a specific deity (Syana, Kumrila), Thus WILSON concludes his notes on Rg Veda 4.58.3 by pointing out how difficult it is to arrive at any valid cognition and intelligible meaning : "This Sukta, which is probably ancient, is a good specimen of Vaidic vagueness, and mystification, and of the straits to
3. GARGE, D.V., The Contribution of the Sbara Bhsya to Rgveda Exegesis; or The Treatment by Sabara of the Rgveda-Passages cited in his Bhsya. in: Bulletin of the Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Poona, 3.4, pp. 531-546, p. 536.
Mans Experience with Language
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115 intelligible
However, the difference in understanding is due not only to the text, but is also based upon man's effort and context. Actually abara suggests this indirectly, when he says that one can arrive at the proper meaning of a mantra with the help of the science of etymology, grammar and various commentaries,5 together with the current meaning of the terms.6 Moreover, Bhartrhari illustrates well how one's context is decisive for a specific familiarity of a gaunasabda, when he considers this mantra in connection with vykarana as a means of attaining moksa. The metaphysical context of sabddvaita is significant for his understanding of vr$abha, as for example, when he states : "It has been said that the Self, which is within the speaker is the word, the great Bull with whom one desires union". (Translation S. IYER). 7 How tradition plays an important part in determining the meaning of terms in connection with language, as for example with vrsabha, may be more evident by considering what T. R. V. MURTI says in this context. "The Brhmanical tradition stemming from the Veda takes language as of Divine origin (Daivi Vak), as Spirit descending and embodying itself in phenomena, assuming various guises and disclosing its real nature to the sensitive soul. The wellknown Rg Veda verse, 'Catvri srngh' expresses this truth in a poetic form. It symbolises speech as the Bellowing Bull of abundant fecundity, as the Great God descending
4. WILSON, H.H. Rig-Veda. Translations and Notes, Vol. Ill, Poona 1926, p. 379. 5. cf. S. Bh. 1.2.49 (see text p. 148). 6. See above pp. 70-71, 92. 7. VP. 1.122 (-1.130 in the editions of Pt. Cham Deva Shastri and others) (see text p. 148). CL IYER, K. A. Subramania, Bhartrhari on vykarana as a means of attaining moksa, in: The Adyar Library Bulletin XXVII, Parts 1-2, May 1964, pp. 112-131 and also IYER, K.A.S., Bhartrhari, pp. 130 ff.
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Hermeneutics and Lanaguge into the sphere of the mortals (Mahdevo martym vivesa) (7). Patanjali asks : Who is this Great God and answers Speech itself {Mohan devah, sabdah).8
However, with reference to the term 'vrsabha? there seems to be no single meaning to facilitate its contemporary understanding. Sangam Lai PANDEY pointing out the various levels of Vedic language says : "The Parakiy Bhs means the symbolic language or the use of symbols for the description of spiritual reality. The Rg Veda describes a religious fact in this language when it describes an ox with four horns, three feet, two heads, seven hands, and three cords. Obviously, the ox is here a symbol which stands for sacrifice (Yajfia). ... symbolic language is the language pf imagination which creates its own tools and rules to bring out the structure of the suprasensible reality." 9 The various interpretations make it evident that man has not ceased in his efforts to understand properly this well known mantra. The efforts illustrate how a metaphysical outlook, together with the contemporary concern (for example of sacrificial rites, problems of language), and the quest for liberation, are as much constitutive for understanding, as that which is to be intrinsically known in accordance with the text itself, pointing out thereby, the importance of sabda. It is the attempt
8. MURTI, T.R.V., Comments, p. 324. FN (7): cf. catvrisrng trayo asya pddvesirse sapta hastso asya, tridh baddho vr$abho roraviti maho devo martym vivesa. Rg-veda, 4/58/3. See also Patanjali, Vykarana-mahbhsya (ed. F. Kielhorn, first edition 1880, third edition, 1962), p. 3. T.R.V. MURTI may be considered to be a contemporary representative of this ancient Brahmanical tradition who, in this article, gives Lits significance for today. Cf. also MURTI, T.R.V., Presidential Address on the Indian Philosophical Congress, 37th Session (Chandigarh) 1963. Some Thoughts on the Indian Philosophy of Language (Printed by Laksmi Das, B.H.U. Press, Yaranasi.) 9. PANDEY, S.L., Indian Views of Theological Statements, in: Bharata Manisha Quarterly, 1 (1976) No. 4. 33-41. p. 35.
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at proper understanding that sabda,e.g., vrtabha ('bull') is understood differently in different contexts : Yska, Sahara and in recent research S.L. PANDEY understand it as 'sacrifice', Syana and Kumrlia as a deity, Patanjali as 'sabda* (word), Bhartrhari as (sabdd* (-brahman) and among modern interpreters T.R.V. MURTI as vk. Sabara's insight that sabdapramna makes known something without error and mistake, thus significantly points out that man has the possibility of acquiring valid knowledge, which cannot be falsified. Such knowledge cannot by itself be controversial because it is svayampratyaya. However, because of doubts over the proper understanding of texts on account of the different conditions of the various interpretations, Sabara, as already seen, argues a case in his Bhsya that the certainty or validity of knowledge through language only seems to be contradicted. The significance of this point is more evident when, in discussing the validity of verbal knowledge, D.M. DATTA says : "... if knowledge ceases to be self-evident, it so far ceases to be knowledge itself, and it is not the case that when selfevidence ceases to certify knowledge, knowledge is left behind to be certified by some other method.. . . When ten different arguments are adduced to ratify a particular knowledge, what is achieved is not directly the ascertainment of validity (which is congenital with knowledge itself), but the removal of ten actual or possible sources of doubt or contradiction which stand in the way of knowledge itself."10 Whilst Sabara argues a case for certainty and validity, proper knowledge itself, however, is in no way altered, though his argument nonetheless, functions as a process of understanding for one who desires proper knowledge. The above discussion shows that the understanding of a text, according to Sabara, makes very significant man's actual involvement in what is revealed in and through language. If
10. DATTA, D.M., Ways, pp. 346-347.
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the object to be known is neither affected by one's pre-understanding of it nor could be manipulated with (as for instance, in the case of a lie), there is no interference between sabda and artha and thus a sadhnsabda is perfectly revealed by correct perception, i.e., without hiding or distorting whatever can be understood. That is to say, a particular perception and insight functions as proper knowledge when it is self-evident through language. In an instance where such a perception is denied in the process of man's proper understanding of what is yet to be known, or, if the perception is fundamentally shaken by doubts and contradiction, the validity of such perception is no longer to be maintained. Whilst this process is characterised by man's concrete involvement in what is presented through language, there is now a radical negation involved, in that, what was first improperly perceived is now correctly seen in the process of proper understanding. This process of negation continues until knowledge is proper in accordance with what is revealed in the text itself. Such a negation can only take place because of a radical openness of man towards sabda and its object. The denial of a previous familiarity and of being open towards something which is yet unfamiliar or unknown in the process of understanding a text, is in fact based on the nature and function of language. It is such a process of proper understanding that may be said to be an experience with language. The negation is not simply a correction of what may have been a partially wrong understanding of an object. Such a correction would be a contradiction in terms, since understanding is proper only if it is based on pratyaksa (direct perception of the object); in any partial understanding of an object there would be no pratyaksa according to Sabara. Nor can man arrive through negation at a characteristic of an object from previous understanding of it, simply because this understanding has been negated by the change of conditions in the process of understanding. Further the negation is not a mere demarcation of what the object is not; it shows rather a new dimension of the object (and thus, according to Sabara a new object itself), which is not identical with the previous understanding of it. In other words, perception of a sabda as a signifying unit in hermeneutical activity contradicts the object as previously seen
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through the same sabda. That is to say what has been believed and thought to be present through sabda is not shown by language itself, because there was an extraneous source that interfered with the relation of sabda and artha, as for example, with one's personal bias and predisposition. Moreover, the new perception cannot be due to a mere remembrance of a past experience; what is new is simply not a reiteration of any perevious knowledge. For Sabara, proper understanding means that something new shines forth through language which has overcome what has been strained and distorted in one's previous outlook. The very act of understanding is in fact a rejection of an apparent evidence in the previous response to sabda, whereby the old 'knowledge' itself vanishes as being false. Such understanding is experience through hermeneutics and that is a process which is to reveal the object to be known in its original and authentic dimension. This is to say that the vulnerability of human 'understanding', particularly with referencee to hermeneutics and language, emphasizes what for Sabara is the invulnerability of what actually is. Hermeneutics, strictly speaking, does not create anything new in the object to be understood. Rather it makes man aware of what was originally present and which has not been discovered and acquired by man. Understanding, gained through hermeneutics, remains valid until its validity is annihilated by another experience through the hermeneutical process. The 'openness' intrinsic to hermeneutics cannot be specifically described, yet it is evident in the process of understanding which in some way or the other negates a previous 'understanding'. This openness is the characteristic feature of hermeneutics which means that it is not limited by one's expectations of what is to be understood. Though there seems to be in any hermeneutical activity a tendency to ask 'what it is', the core of hermeneutical activity cannot be 'what it is expected to be' as this would be a mere acknowledgement of what has been already understood. In other words, the same conditions of understanding obtain in the attempt to arrive at an answer to what is to be known. Moreover, the openness implies that anything newly acquired may be lost as well. In all understanding there is the involvement of man's realization of satyam through
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hermeneutics. Though it gives certainty and validity of knowledge, yet it cannot be considered as absolute or ultimate. Man in fact has to be aware that his actual understanding can be falsified without the guarantee of further understanding, i.e., man is not the master of the understanding of language in spite of his inextricable participation; he can only 'prepare' himself for knowledge within the possibility of hermeneutics, i.e. in the process of the proper understanding of language. Genuine hermeneutics obviously, does not go against the intrinsic validity of sabda as pramna, but emphasizes the possibility of attaining knowledge of what is to be understood through language. Language, thereby, becomes the core of hermeneutics and is necessarily constitutive of man's life. Hermeneutics is also the realization on the part of man, through language, of the limitations of his understanding. Authentic hermeneutics which always reveals something new, is thus identical not with smrti but with anubhti11 and is characterised by the process of understanding itself. Hermeneutics is an experience. It is neither static nor a mere passive receptivity of the understanding of a text; it is a dynamic response to what is revealed through sabda, i.e., language. Language shows and indicates reality in its totality (i.e., in both dimensions of the dr$ta and adfsta), which is known to man through hermeneutics. From a hermeneutical perspective, experience and knowledge do not by themselves imply that man could apprehend them in separation or in sequence, where each has an independent being and meaning, because they are themselves identical insofar as there can be no knowledge without experience and no experience without knowledge.12
11. D.M. DATTA observes that "The experience which reveals the new (i.e. knowledge proper) is called anubhti (1), whereas reproduced knowledge is called smrti (2). Thus novelty comes to be considered an essential quality of knowledge". "FN I Bhs-paricceda (Krikvali with the com. Siddhntamuktvali, Nirnayasagara, p. 232. F N 2 I b i d . " (DATTA, D.M., Ways, p. 23). 12. Though modern psychoanalysis questions the possibility of emotion devoid of cognition it is interesting to note T.R.V. MURTI's observa tion: "Knowledge is a cognitive experience, and it has to be distinguished
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Knowledge as experience for Sahara has its impact on man's concrete existence especially with reference to his philosophical and religious quest to understand what was, is, and can be relevant for his actual life. Such understanding, which in fact, is an experience through hermeneutics, questions the exclusive views from a purely anthropological and theological, empirical and metaphysical standpoint. This is so, because they are abstracted from man's participation and involvement in reality which is revealed through the nature and function of language in both dimensions. Knowledge through hermeneutics is the outcome of a sincere religious and philosophical endeavour to come to grips with a constant positive questioning which cannot presuppose any absolute answers. Proper understanding as an experience through hermeneutics varies in accordance with the context and situation of the one who earnestly desires to know. As the process of understanding takes place through language, language plays a key-role in understanding. Yet the very understanding of language involves hermeneutics. In fact, there is no understanding of language and thus of reality as a whole without hermeneutics. Thus the question "What does it really mean to understand ?" is not answered by reality through "language and hermeneutics", but as initially brought into focus through ' 'hermeneutics and language". Elements for a theory of hermeneutics as an aid to proper understanding which is basic for any religious and philosophical enquiry have been attempted in this investigation into Sabara Bhsya in its various hermeneutical aspects. Understanding, however, fulfils itself only in man's actual hermeneutical endeavour through language, which really participates with his perspective of reality. For Sabara reality itself is a challenge which finds its expression through language and which, further is the
from types of non-cognitive experience, such willing and feeling as exemplified by volitional acts or emotional states as pleasure, anger or lust. What is peculiar about the cognitive attitude is that we want to *see* or 'take in' things as they are, as they obtain in reality; we do not want to add or modify or distort the given, and to the extent we do this, it is not knowledge". (MURTI, T.R.V., Knowledge and Truth, in: R.C. PANDEYA, S.R. BHATT <eds.), Knowledge, Culture and Value, Delhi, 1976).
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basic issue in his enquiry into dharma. Sahara's perspective of what it means to understand and thereby to have knowledge, is still relevant for us today in its implications for life : first, to uphold the function of criticism in the attempt to overcome man's estrangement and alienation by the removal of ignorance, bias and habits which obstruct the process of understanding, and secondly, to attempt, thereby, to make evident the significance of man's constant desire and urge to know (jijns) what really is. This is vital because man masters his life best, if he does not ignore the full import of reality which is present in and through language, i.e., when man really understands that which is to be understood, satyam.
APPENDIX
TEXTUAL SOURCES IN ROMAN SCRIPT TEXTUAL SOURCES IN DEVANAGARI SCRIPT
(FW refers t Mlmipsstrabhfyam I, 1, 1-5, edited by E. FRAUWALLNER. The first figure refers to the page and the following to the lines.) CHAPTER II 1. Ml. s. 1.1. 2(FW16, 8): codanlaksaijo 'rtho dharmah S. Bh. 1. 1.2 (FW 16, 11-12): tay yo laksyate, so 'rthah purusaip ni^Sreyasena saipyunakti iti pratijnimahe. 2. S, Bh. 1. 1.5 (FW 30, 7-9): na ca arthavyapadesam antarena buddhe rpopalambhanam. tasmn nvyapadesy buddhir, avyapadeyaip ca nah pratyaksam. tasmd apratyaks buddhih. S. Bh. 1. 1. 5 (FW 28, 17-19): syd etad evaip, yady arthkr buddhih syt. nirkr tu no buddhifr, kravn bhyo *rthah. sa hi bahirdesasaipbaddhaht pratyaksam upalabhyate. arthavisay hi pratyaksabuddhir na buddhyantaravisay. ^. Bh. 1,1. 5(FW30, 12-13): Skraip crthaiji pratyaksam evvagacchmah. arthlambanahi pratyayah. tasmd
6.
16. S. Bh. 1. l. 5(FW 60, 21-22): avinsi vre *yam tm anucchittidharm, mtrsamsargas tv asya bhavati. S. Bh. 1. 1. 5 (FW 58, 23-24): atati pravrttyvagamyate ''nnam asv anityn avagaccati'* 17. S, Bh. 1. 1. 5 (FW 60, 6-7): ayam evbhyupyo jntavynm arthnip "yo yath jnyate. sa tath" iti.
126 18. S. Bh. 1.1. 5 ( F W 5 6 , 2 ) : pratyagtmani caitad bhavati,
19. S. Bh. 1. 1. 5(FW 56, 12-15): "sa vre ' y a m tm" iti prakrtya mananti "airyo na hi Siryata" iti. tath "avinSi vre 'yam tm anucchittidharm" iti. vinaSvaraip ca vijiinam. tasmd vinaSvard anyah sa ity avagacchmah. 20. S. Bh. 1. 1. 5 (FW 58, 11-12) svayamjyotistvavacant. atrpi brhmanaqi "atryaip purusah svayaqajyotir bhavati" iti.
bhavati
21. S. Bh. 1. 1. 5 (FW58, 5-9): tenasarve svena sventman tmnam upalabhamnh santy eva, yady api parapurusair nopalabhyanta iti. athsmin arthe brhmanaip bhavati "^ntym vci kimjyotir evyaiji purusah ? tmajyotih, samr^ iti hovca" iti. 22. S. Bh. 1. 1. 5 (FW 52, 17; 54, 1-3): icchay tmnam upalabhmahe... . atha vijnnd anyo vijnt nityas, tata ekasmin ahani ya upalabdh, aparedyur api sa evaisisyati. itarath icchnupapann syt. 23. S. Bh. 1.1. 5 (FW 60, 6-7) atah svayam purusa iti. avagamyamnatvd asti tadvyatiriktah
24. S. Bh. 1 . 1 . 5 (FW 50, 3-6.8 11-12) sarirasambandhd, yasya tac chariraip, so 'pi tair yajiiyudhair "yajfiyudhi" ity ucyate. ha; ko 'sv anyo ? nainam upalabhmahe. nanu prndibhir enam upalabhmahe. . . . na prndayah sarlragunh. . . . sukbdayaS ca svayam upalabhyante, na rpdaya iva sarlragunh parenpi. tasmc charlragunavaidharmyd anyah sarird yajnyudhiti.
Appendix
127
47. S. Bh. 1.1. 5 (FW 60, 6-7) ayam evbhyupyo jntavynm arthnqi "yo yath jnyate, sa tath" iti. 54. S, Bh. 1.1. 5(FW 48, 7): anupalabdhe ca devatdv arthe 'narthakaip saipjnkaranam asakyaip ca. 56. S. Bh. 1. 1. 5 (FW 30, 7-9): tasmn nvyapadesy buddhir, avyapadesyaip ca nah pratyaksam. tasmd apratyaks buddhih. 59. S. Bh. 1. 1. 5 (FW 40, 14-16): nanv krtih sdhysti v na veti ? na pratyaks sati sdhy bhavitum arhati. "rucakah, svastiko, vardhamnaka" iti hi pratyaksam drsyate. CHAPTER III 1. ML s. 1. 1. 2 (FW 16,8): codanlaksano 'rtho dharmah. 2. S. Bh. 1. 1.5(FW24, 7): upadeô hi bhavati. upadesa iti visistasya sabdasya uccranam. 8. S- Bh.l. 1.5(FW 38,4-5): srotragrahane hy arthe loke sabdasabdah prasiddhah, te ca srotragrahanh. arthnip "yo yath
12. S. Bh, 1.1.5 (FW 60, 6-7): ayam evbhyupyo jntavynm jnyate, sa tath" iti.
13. S. Bh. 1. 1.5 (FW 30, 18-19): anumnaip jntasaiiibandhasya ekadeadarsand desntare 'samnikrste 'rthe buddhih. 14. Mi. s. L 1. 5 (FW 22, 21) : autpattikas tu Sabdasyrthena saipbandhas . . .
eka-
128
Hermeneuties and Language
16. S. Bh. 1 . 1 . 5 (FW 24, 3-5) : autpattika iti nityam brmah. utpattir hi bhva ucyate laksaây. aviyuktah Sabdrthayor bhvah saipbandhena, notpannayoh pasct saipbandhah. 18. S. Bh. 1. 1. 5 (FW 34, 15) : apauruseyah sabdasyrthena sainbandhas . . . S. Bh. 1.1. 5(FW 42, 16-18) : apauruseyatvt sambandhasya siddham iti. katham punar idam avagamyate "apauruseya esa sambandha" iti ? purusasya sambandhur abhvt. 19. S. Bh. 1. 1. 5 (FW 42, 12) : yat sabde vijnte 'rtho vijnyate. 21. S. Bh. 1. 1. 5 (FW42, 16) : apauruseyatvt saipbandhasya siddham iti. 23. S. Bh. 1. 1.5 (FW 44, 4-5) : saippratipattau hi kartrvyavahartror arthah sidhyati, na vipratipattau. 24. S. Bh. 1. 1.5 (FW 44, 9-11) : na hi vismrte"vrddhir daij" ity 1 asya strasya kartari ''vrddhir yasycm dis, tad vrddham" iti2 kiipcit pratiyeta. 1. Pnini I, 1, 1. 2. Pnini I, 1, 73. 25. Sa. Bh. 1. 1.5 (FW 46, 12-14) : yath asmin dese ssndimati gosabdah, evaxn sarve?u durâmesv api. bahavah sambandhrah katham saipgamsyante. eko 'pi na saknuyt. ato nsti saipbandh. 27. S Bh. 1. 1. 5. (FW 44, 13-14) : yady api ca vismaranam upapadyeta, tathpi na pramnam antarena sambandhram pratipadyemahi, . . . 28. S. Bh. 1. 1. 5 ( F W 4 4 , 21) : siddhavad, upadest.
Appendix 29. S. Bh. 1 . 1 . 5 (FW46, 2-5) :
129
vrddhhnip svrthena vyavaharamnnm upaSrnvanto blh pratyaksam arthaip pratipadyamn drsyante. te 'pi vrddh yad bl sanis, tad 'nyebhyo vrddhebhyas, te 'py anyebhya iti nsti dir ity . , . 30. S. Bh. 1. 1. 5 (FW 46, 16-48,1) : na hi saipbandhavyatiriktah kaScit klo *sti, yasmin na kaScid api Sabah kenacid arthena saipbaddha sit. katham ? saijibandhakriyaiva hi nopapadyate. ava^yam anena saipbandhaiji kurvat kenacic chabdena kartavyah. yena kriyeta, tasya kena krtah ? athnyena kenacit krtah, tasya keneti, tasya keneti naivvatisthate. tasmd avasyam anena sambandham kurvat akrtasaip^ bandhht kecana sabd vrddhavyavahrasiddh abhyu* pagantavyh. 32. S. Bh, 1. 1. 5 (FW 36, 22-38, 1) : svabhvatohy asaijibaddhv etau Sabdrthau. mukhe hi abdam upalabhmahe, bhmv artham. "sabdo 'yarp na tv arthah, artho 'yaip na abda" iti ca vyapadisanti. rpabhedo 'pi bhavati. "gaur" iti imaip abdam uccrayanti, ssndimantam artham avabudhyante, 33. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (FW 40, 13-14) : atha '*gaur" ity asya sabdasya ko 'rthati ? ssndikrtir iti brmah. 37. S. Bh. 1. 1. 5 (FW 40, 14-15) : nanv krtih sdhysti v na veti ? na pratyaks sati sdhy bhavitum arhati. 46. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (FW 48, 7-10) : anupalabdhe ca devatdv arthe 'narthakaip samjnkaranam asakyaip ca. visesn pratipattuip hi saipjnh kriyante visesms coddisya. tad visesesv ajnyamnesu ubhayam apy anavaklptam. tasmd apauruseyah Sabdasya arthena saijibandhah.
130
50. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (FW 30, 20-21) : pratyaksatodrstasanibandham yath dhmkrtidarSand agny krtivij fina m. 52. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (FW 38. 3-4) : atha "gaur" ity atra kah sabdah ? gakraukravisarjaniy iti bhagavn upavarsah. 53. S. Bh. 1. 1. 5 (FW40, 3-4) : na gauno 'ksaresu nimittabhvah, tadbhve bhvt tadabhve cbhvt. 54. S. Bh. 1. 1.5(FW38, 13) : prvavarnajanitasaipskrasahito 'ntyo varnah pratyyaka ity adosah. 55. S Bh. 1.1.5 (FW 40, 1-2) : aksarebhyah samskrah, samskrd arthapratipattic iti bhavanty arthapratipattv aksarni nimittam. 56. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (FW 40, 7-10) : na ca pratyakso gakrdibhyo 'nyo gosabda iti, bhedadarsanbhvd abhedadarsanc ca. gakrdini hi pratyaksî. tasmd "gaur" iti gakrdivisarjanlyntaip padam aksarny eva. na tebhyo vyatiriktam anyat padaip nma 81. S. Bh. 1.1.5(FW 30,8) : avyapade^yaip ca nah pratyaksam. CHAPTER IV 13. S. Bh. 1. 1. 5 (FW 34, 17-22) : pauruseye hi sati sainbandhe yah pratyayah, tasya mithybhva sahkyeta. parapratyayo hi tad syt. atha sabde bruvati katham mithy iti ? na hi tadnim anyatah purusd avagamah. "braviti" ity ucyate "avabodhayati, budhyamnasya nimittam bhavati" iti. sabdacen nimittabhte svayam avabudhyate, kathaip vipralabdhaip bryn "naitad evam" iti.
Appendix
131
14. S. Bh. 1. 1. 5 (FW 24, 8-12) : yac ca nma jnnam utpannam na viparyeti, na tac chakyate vakturp "naitad evam" iti. "yath vijnyate na tath bhavati; yathaitan na vijnyate, tathaitad" iti. anyad asya hrdaye, anyad vci syt. evaip vadato viruddham idam avagamyate "asti nsti ca" iti. 15. S. Bh 1.1.5 (FW 26, 4-5. 18-21) : yad anyavisayaqi jnnam anyasaipprayoge bhavati. na tat pratyaksam. . . . prayatnena anvicchanto na ced dosam upalabhemahi, pramnbhvd adustam iti manyemahi. tasmd yasya ca dustani karanaip yatra ca mithyeti pratyayah, sa eva asamicinah pratyayo nnya iti. 17. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (FW 24, 7-8) : avyatirekas ca bhavati tasya jnnasya. 18. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (FW 24,12-14) : tasmt tat pramnam, anapeksatvt. na hy evaip sati pratyayntaram apeksitavyam purusntaraip v. svayaippratyayo hy asau. 19. .S. Bh 1.1.5 (FW32,9) : abhvo 'pi pram^bhvo "nsti" ity asyrthasysaipnikrstasya. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (FW 42, 18-19): pratyaksasya pramnasya abhvt tatprvakatvc cetaresm. 20. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (FW48, 17-20) : na syt pramnam, yadi pancaiva pramnny abhavisyan. yena [yena hi pramiyate, tat tat pramnam, sabdenpi pramiyate, tatah sabdo 'pi pramnam, yathaiva pratyaksam. 21. S-Bh. 1.1.2 (FW 16,15-20. 23): nanv atathbhtam apy artham bryc codan, yath yatkirpcana laukikam vacanam "nadys tire phalni santi" iti. tat tathyam api bhavati, vitatham api bhavatiti.
132
ucyate : vipratisiddham - idam abhidhiyate "braviti ca vitathaiji ca" iti. braviti ity ucyate 'vabodhayati, budhyamnasya nimittaip bhavati iti. yasmiijis ca nimittabhte saty avabudhyate, so 'vabodhayati. 22. S. Bh. 1.1. 5 (FW 54, 14-15): na cdrstaprve smrtir bhavati. 24. S. Bh. 1.1.2 (FW 16, 12-14): codan hi bhtaixi bhavantaip bhavisyantam sksmaip vyavahitani viprakrstamity evaipjatlyakam artharji saknoty avagamayitum, nnyat, kiipcanendriyam. 25. S. Bh, 1.1.2 ( FW 16,9) ; codan iti kriyyh pravartakaip vacanam ahuli. 37. S. Bh. 1.1.2 (FW 18, 20-20, 2): api ca purusavacanasdharmyd vedavacanaip vitatham iti anumnam. pratyaksas tu vedavacane pratyayah. na cnumnani pratyaksavirodhi pramnam bhavati. 38. Sa. Bh. 1.1.2. (FW 18, 11-15): upadeo hi vymohd api bhavati. asati vymohe vedd api bhavati. api ca pauruseyd vacand {<evam ayaip purusoveda"iti bhavati pratyayo, na "evam ayam artha" iti. viplavate khalv api kascit purusakrtd vacant pratyayah. na tu vedavacanasya mithytve kinicana pramiâgi asti. 41. Sa. Bh. 1.1.2 (FW 18, 3-5): yat tu laukikaip vacanaip, tac cet pratyayitt purusd indriyavisayam v, a vitatham eva tat. athpratyayitt purusd anindriyavisayam v, tat purusabuddhiprabhavam apramnam. CHAPTER V 2. Ml.su 1.1.1 (FW10, 2): athto dharmajijns
Appendix
133
3. S. Bh. 1.1.1 (FW 14,21-16,2): dharmah prasiddho v syd aprasiddho v. sa cet prasiddho, na jijnsyah. athprasiddho, natarm. tad etad anarthakaiji dharmajijnsprakaraiiam, 5. S. Bh. 1.1.1 (FW 16, 3-6): athav arthavat. dharmaiji prati hi vipratipann bahuvidah. kecid anyaip dharmam huh, kecid anyam. so 'yam avicrya pravartamnah kamcid eva updadno vihanyeta anarthani Jca rechet, tasmd dharmojijiisitavyah. sa hi nihsreyasena purusam saijiyunakti iti pratijnimahe. 17 Sa Bh. 1.1.1. (FW 12,11-14): atikramisyma imam mnyam. anatikrmanto vedam arthavantam santam anarthakam kalpayema. drsto hi tasyrthah karmvabodhanani nma. na ca tasya adhyayanamtrt tatrabhavanto yjnikh phalaip sammananti.
18. S Bh. 1.1.1 (FW12, 8): vedam adhitya snyt 19. ML s. 1.1.1 (FW 10,2): athto dharmajijns 25. S. Bh. 1.1.5 (FW 40,4-7): athpi gaunah syt, na "gaunah sabdo m bhd"ity etvat pratyaksdibhir anavagamyamno 'rthah sakyah parikalpayitum. na hy '*agnir mnavaka" ity ukte 'gnisabdo gauno m bhd iti <;jvalana eva mnavak" ity adhyavasiyate.
(Ass I-VII; nandsrama Sanskrit Series 97, Vol. I-VII. The first Arabic figure refers to the page and the following to the lines.) CHAPTER II 5. S. Bh. 6.8.27 (ASS V, 366, 12-14) :
7.
S. Bh. 6.1.2 (ASS Y, 180, 9) :
8. S. Bh. 9.1.9 (ASS VI, 75, 14);
15.
S. Bh. 2.1.3 (ASS II, 355, 10-13)
27.
^. ^ M 2.2.25 (ASS III, 109, 3-7.8-9) :
rftr ^ f
29. z. Afl. 2.2.26 (ASS III, 114, 5-115, 1; 115, 2; 117, 1; 117, 3) :
*vm
i cf^TTf SfT: ^
f
IT f
Appendix
135
30.
S. Bh. 2.2.26 (ASS III, 111, 2-3) :
33.
^. A5. 6.1.1. (ASS V, 176, 2-5; 177, 9-11) :
I...
34.
Bh. 6.1.1 (ASS V, 177, 14-16; 177, 22-178, 1) iysr Elfter i...
35.
S. Bh. 6.1.2 (ASS V, 181, 11-13) ;
S. Bh. 6.1.3 (ASS V, 183, 27-184,2) :

1IM KT
36.
S. Bh. 6.1.2 (ASS V, 180,7-9) : ff?
37.
S. Bh. 4.3.15 (ASS V, 72, 6-8) :
136 38.
Hermeneutics and Language S. Bh. 4.3.16 (ASS V, 72,11) :
39.
& . Bh. 4.3.15 (ASS V, 72, 5-6) :
40.
S. Bh. 10.4.23 (ASS VI, 380, 7) :
41.
S. Bh. 9.1.9 (ASS VI, 79, 13-15) :
S. Bh. 3.2.37 (ASS IV, 187, 5-6)
5. 9.1.9 (ASS VI, 79, 23-24) :
&z. A5. 9.1.9 (ASS VI, 80, 3-5) r
ffcf I
42.
^5. Â5. 6.1.5 (ASS V, 186,1-2; 5-6)
ffa i
43.
S. Bh. 6.1.2 (ASS V, 180, 11) :
44.
^5. A. 8.1.32 (ASS VI, 19, 4-5) :
Appendix 45. S. Bh. 9.1.9 (ASS VI, 75, 14; 76, 1-3) : : l 5TO%EI ff? ^Tcf,... :i
137
46. S. Bh. 6.3.18 (ASS V, 255, 14-16) :
z. J9A5. 10.4.23 (ASS VI, 379, 8-11) :
\ 49. ô. A5. 10.4.23 (ASS VI, 379, 14-380, 2) ^TcTT, f fir I 50. ^5. Bh. 10.4,23 (ASS VI, 379, 12-13) : r T T 51. S. Bh. 10.4.23 (ASS VI, 380, 5-8) :
52.
S: Bh. 10.4.23 (ASS VI, 380, 25-381, 3.5-8.12-13)
traf H^fcSRT ?TS|?fta|>^rft ^cft'T^TfT^fli " F ^ I

r: i . . .
138
55. Az. A5. 9.1.9 (ASS VI, 76, 15-17) :
57. ^5. J?A5. 2.1J(ASS II, 377, 1-2) :
58. S. Bh. 2.1.5 (ASS II, 372, 2-3) :
63. S. Bh. 2.1.1 (ASS II, 340, 8-341, 1.5) :
i.. .
64. S. Bh. 2.1.4 (ASS II, 357, 1-3; 358, 9-10) :

:i
65. â. 5Aa. 2.1.1 (ASS II, 340, 7-8) :
67.
fl. 5/7.2.1.4 (ASS II, 357, 10-13) :
Appendix 69. S. Bh. 2.1.5 (ASS II, 378, 2-3):
139
70.
S. Bh. 2.2.1 (ASS III, 8, 6-7. 9-11):
71. ^. 5. 2.1.5 (ASS II, 358, 16-359, 1):

W 5W: \
CHAPTER III 4. S. Bh, 1.1.22 (ASS I, 109, 1-2) :
5.
S. Bh. 1.1.14 {ASS I, 96, 2-3) :
6. Mf. S. 1.1.16 (ASS I, 99, 4) :
^ Bh. 1.1.16 (ASS I, 100, 1-2) :
7. S. Bh. 1.1.20 (ASS I, 105,5) :
9.
^. 5/rfl. 1.1. 17 (ASS I, 101,1-8) : %f?r Tn^t i ^^^? 1
140 10.
Hermeneutics and Language S. Bh. 1.1.20 (ASS I, 106, 6-7) :
34.
SVkrtivdah 3-4:
35.
Bh. 1.1.19 (ASS I, 104, 2-105, 3) :

5? ^ T s s f ? m STC[?F3*
: II 39. & . Bh. 1.3.33 (ASS II, 247, 17-248, 1) :
40.
^5. Bh. 1.3 33 (ASS II, 264,2-3) :
41.
S. Bh. 1.3.33 (ASS II, 248, 5-264, 1) :
r: srtact
[ I frT: . STcf^rT ^fcT I ftp ^R^T|cTTSSf^fTfrT
42.
S. Bh. 1.3.33 (ASS II, 265, 4-5) :
Appendix 43. S. Bh. 1.3.33 (ASS II, 247, 7-9) :
141
44.
&5. JJA5. 1.3.33 (ASS II, 247, 11-12) :
sratartraft ^ m ^ i **$*&%* %far

45. Sa. Bh. 1.3.16 (ASS II, 173, 3; 175, 7-8) I 58. A/f. S. 1.1.16 (ASS I, 99, 4) :
59.
S. Bh. 1.1.16 (ASS I, 100, 1-2) :
60.
^ 4 JSA5. 1.1.18 (ASS I, 102, 6-8) :
61.
S. Bh. 1.3.24 (ASS II, 182, 6) :
S. Bh. 1.3.26 (ASS II, 214, 2-3)
S. Bh. 1.3.26 (ASS II, 214, 1-2)
62.
S. Bh. 1.3.29 (ASS II, 228, 11-12) :
63.
S. Bh. 1.3.24 (ASS II, 182,8-183,1.4) : : l H^ f fk ff*T: I.. .rf^HTcH^ * T T S T r : I
142
Hermeneutics and Language S. Bh. 1.3.25 (ASS H, 212, 2-213, 1) :

\
64.
S. Bh. 1.3.28 (ASS II, 228, 2*3) :
65.
S. Bh. 1.3.26 (ASS II, 214, 2-3) :

: i
66.
S. Bh. 1.3.26 (ASS II, 214, 3-4) :
68.
S. Bh. 1.1.17 (ASS 1,101, 2-3)

ST*:
69.
S. Bh. 1.1.15 (ASS I, 99,1-2)
70.
SVkftivdah 5-7 :
SV Sabdanityatdhikarana 290-305 : \
Appendix
143
, *JTJ
ftrîfar
ri îru rufen
%?rf%cr
73.
S Bh. 1.1.12 (ASS I, 91, 4-5) ;
144
Hermeneutics and Language S. Bh. 1.1.13 (ASS, 91, 9-10) :
77.
S. Bh. 1.1.20 (ASS I, 105, 5-106, 1.3-4) :

3T%R"
?r: V^Têq 1 ^ I t?wi|Spf

I...
78.
S. Bh. 1.1.20 (ASS I, 106,5-6) :

13T
80. ^. 5Afl. 1.1.20 (ASS I, 106, 6-14) :
I : i
: I
85.
S. Bh. 1.1.15 (ASS 99, 1-2) :
87. S. Bh. 1.1.16 (ASS I, 100, 2-3) :
S. Bh. 1 1.22 (ASS I, 109, 4-8) :

I
Appendix
145
: \ 88. Ai.ifl. 1.1.21 (ASS I, 108, 2-6) :
95.
S. Bh. 1.1.18 (ASS I, 101, 10-102, 1) :
CHAPTER IV 1. S. Bh. 1.3.30 (ASS II, 231, 6-232, 3) :
2. &1 Â. 1.3.30 (ASS II, 233,1-3) :
3.
5A. 1.1.25 (ASS I, 116, 5-6):
4. ^fi. Bh. 1.1.25 (ASS I, 116, 10) :
5. S. Bh. 1.1.25 (ASS I, 117, 4-6) :
146
6. S. Bh. 1.1.25 (ASS I, 117, 10-11) :
9. .fojJAtf. 1.1.24 (ASS I, 110, 4-5; 111, 5-6);

I...
10.
S. Bh. IM.25 (ASS I, 117, 1-3) :
11. Mf. 5w. 2.1.46 (ASS II, 431, 9-10) :
12. ^. J5A. 1.1.18 (ASS I, 101, 10-102, 1) :
16.
S. Bh. 1.1.25 (ASS I, 117, 1-2) :
23.
S. Bh.lAA
(ASS II, 285, 12-13) :
26. S. Bh. 1.1.27 (ASS I, 120, 9) :
27. S. Bh. 1.1.29 (ASS I, 122, 2) <
28.
S. Bh. 1.1.30 (ASS I, 122, 5-6) :
29.
^. Bh. 1.1.30 (ASS I, 123, 1-2. 3-5)
Appendix
147
30. &z. . 1.1.31 (ASS I, 124, 5) :
31.
S. Bh. 1.1.32 (ASS I, 125, 3-4) :
â. Bh. 1.1.32 (ASS, 124, 14-125, 1)
32. S. Bh. 1.1.32 (ASS I, 124, 10-11) :
34. S. Bh. 1.1.32 (ASS I, 125, 7-126, 1) ;
35.
S. Bh. 1.3.1 (ASS II, 69, 11) ;
36. ^. Bh. 2.1.33 (ASS II, 421, 5-6) :
40.
S. Bh. 1.3.4 (ASS II, 102, 6-104, 2) ;
f^ nnffT* ffif
: i : %f%TTrf l^^T ^F'jfiT: I
148 CHAPTER V 24.
S. Bh. 3.2.1 (ASS IV, 123, 7-10) :
: I CHAPTER VI 1. RV 4.58.3 : 3 T T ft#?T U 2. ^5. Bh 1.2.46 (ASS II, 64, 7-11) :
5. ^. J5/z. 1.2.49 (ASS II, 66, 1-67, 1) :
7.
FP 1.122 (130) :
II
GLOSSARY OF SANSKRIT TERMS Non-existence, absence, negation; pramna indicating absence of another pramna, i.e. anupalabdhi. Adhyya Chapter. Adhvaryu One of the main officiating priests in the sacrifice. Adrsta Invisible; there is no concrete information about any invisible object available, but its presence is given in and through sabda. Agni Fire; brilliance; name of a deity. Aikarpya Unity of form. kra Form, 'structure', which is directly perceived. ka Ether. krti Specific form; 'proper object' permanently related to sabda. It is a determining factor of the individual, thus also of a class. Its function is ineffable in the adrsta. Aksara Phoneme mnya Tradition, traditional instruction. Andi Without beginning (andinitya beginninglessly eternal). Anityatva Impermanence. Anubhti Direct experience which reveals the 'new', proper knowledge. Authentic hermeneutics is identical with anubhti and not with reproduced knowledge as found msmrti. Anumna Inference, & pramna. Anupalabdhi Non-perception, non-cognition; a pramna which indicates non-existence through the absence of another pramna. Anupapanna absurd Apabhraipsa Corrupted. Apauruseya Not of human (or divine) origin. Abhva
150 Aprva
What previously did not exist, what is new; invisible power leading to an intended, though not foreseen consequence of a sacrificial act : svarga. Artha Object; purpose; meaning. Arthpatti Presumption; a pramna. Arthavda Explanatory proclamation of the object/purpose. It is not injunctive, but completes the vidhU tman Self; Invisible, lasting core of man's existence. It is different from the body, sense-organs and cognition, yet it is the agent in perception and remembrance. Autpattika Inborn; originally existent. Avitatha incorrect. Bhakti Secondary significative function of words. Bh$ya Commentary. Bhvan Efficient force. Bhvasabda Word of activity, becoming. Bheri Drum. Brahmacarya Life of a student who is introduced into the Veda. Chastity and purity are required during this training. Brhmana One part of the Veda, the other is constituted by mantras', guidebook for the performance of sacrificial rites. Buddhi Cognition. Caitanya Consciousness. Catvri four. Codan Vedic injunction; it forms the primordially authoritative section of the Vedas, as it is pure sabda as pramna, i.e., it has no extraneous source leading to error. Dadhi Thick sour milk. Dariana Showing, indicating; the main function of sabda, language and hermeneutics. Devat Deity; there is no concrete information about it available, but its presence is really given through sabda.
Glossary of Sanskrit Terms Dharma
151
''According to the context the assemblage of the Vedic rites prescribed in order to reach 'heaven' after death and welfare in this world or the conduct that is considered to be meritorious because it is recommended by the orthodox tradition and it assures good rebirths" (BIARDEAU, M.) The correct knowledge of it is the aim of Prva Mimms. Dravya Substance; offering material. Dr$ta Visible: whatever can be perceived empirically and named/expressed. Gauna Secondary significative function of words. Gvl Corrupted form of go (cow). Go (gauh) cow. Goni corrupted form of go. Gopotalik corrupted form of go. Guna Quality; what is secondary. Hasta Hand. Havirbhk Recipient of offering (i.e., devat). Havis Offering. Homa Pouring libations into fire or water. Hotr Priest. Icch Wish, desire, 'urge', lndriyaviaya Pertaining Jo an object of sense perception. hti Class of sacrifices which consist of offering of milk, butter, rice, barley and other grains. Itihsa History; story, the epic. Sabara seems to include itihsa under the category of smrti. Jti Class. Jaghana Hips and loins, hindmost. Jaghanya Secondary significative function of words. Jijns Desiderative of the root \ the desire to know; hermeneutics. jn To know, to become acquainted with, understand. jnna Knowledge. Jvalana Fire. Jyotis Light. Kla Time; name of a deity.
152
Herrrieneutics and Language
Kara Hand. Kra Letter (gagakra). Karman Ritual act as prescribed in the Veda; action. Karmasabda Verb of action. K$aya Destruction. Kufasthanitya Unchangeably eternal. Laksan Expression of secondary meaning. Ml Garland. Mnavaka Boy, fellow. Mantra Hymn; formula to be recited in the performance of a sacrificial act. Mantras constitute one part of the Veda, the other is Brhmanas. Msa Month; name of a deity. Mimms Discussion of doubtful points whether in ritual or in philosophy. The investigations into the authority and interpretations of the Veda became two of the classical systems of Indian philosophy. The Prva (preliminary) Mimms, i.e. Mimms prope r, pays special attention to ritual knowledge. Its aim is the correct knowledge of dharma. The Uttara (final) Mimms deals mainly with spiritual (not ritual oriented) knowledge of the Vedas and is known as Vednta. Mleccha Foreigner; The exact significance and meaning of certain wordsused even in the Vedasis only available among Mlecchas. Mukha Face. Mukhya Primary significative function of words. Nda Resonance, which is a conglomeration of various parts and has only an instantaneous existence. Nmadheya (Proper) name. Nimitta Sign; reason. Niravayava Without parts. Ni$edha Negative command. Nitya 'Proper to itself, 'personal', equivalent to sva; permanent (in its use), invariable, consistent. Nityatva Permanence, consistency, invariability.
Glossary of Sanskrit Terms Nyya
153
Pada Pni Phala Pralaya Pramna PratUedha Pratyak$a Pratyaya Purna
Prva Rpa Sabda
Sdhu Sdhusabda Sdhya Sdrsya Sakti Sl Smnya Samavya Sambandha Sam
Principle of interpretation, (Mfmtpf) maxim; one of the six classical systems of Indian philosophy. Word. Hand. Fruit (of sacrifice), result. Destruction. Method of knowing and the test of its validity. Six pramnas are accepted by Sahara. Negative command. Visual perception; sense perception; a pramna; cognition in a Vedic statement (6. Bh. 1. 1. 2). Cognition (sometimes identical with jnna). 'Old book', tale containing mythical matters. &abara seems to include the Puranas under the category of smrti. Previous, former, prior to, preliminary. Form, shape. Sound, noise, word, speech: sabda is autpattika, apauruseya, nitya, aikarpya, niravayava. Sabda as signifying unit is coexistent with its object. It presents (not re-presents) the object. Sabda speaks, makes known something in an authentic authoritative way and is a pramna, correct, proper. Correct word; correct set of phonemes as a signifying unit. To be realised. Similarity. Power, energy. House, Hall (for the sacrifice). Common feature; form of object common to other objects. Inherence. Connection, relation (especially between sabda and arthd). Name.
154
Saifivatsara Year; name of a deity. Satyam Truth; It emerges as the essence of the pure relationship of sabda and artha. Language and reality as a whole are satyam. Siddha Established, accomplished, realised. Siddhi Power. Smga Horn. r$ti Creation. Sruti That which is heard; Vedic revelation; direct statement in the Veda itself or the whole body of the Veda. Smrti Remembrance; tradition; It is authoritative, insofar as it is based on the Veda which can only be understood in all its bearing with the help of the smrti. Soma Sacrificial plant; juice of this plant (drink of immortality). Sktabhk The one to whom hymns are offered (i.e., devata) Srya Sun; name of a deity. Stra Aphoristic text that usually requires commentary or explanation. Sva one's own; one's natural feature. Svabhva own way of being: inherent nature. Svarga Heaven; Happiness which has no equal in man's, experience, i.e., invisible. It results from the sacrifice and is due to the realisation of dharma. It is only realised after death by the tman. Svayam all by itself, by its very nature, of its own accord Svayaippratyaya Cognition out of itself, by its very nature i.e. for Sabara there is knowledge that is valid independently by itself, both in respect of its generation and cognition. It itself certifies its truth. Upadesa Pointing out to; instruction; advice. Upamna Comparison; apramna. Utpatti Arising; birth, production, origin. Vaise$ika One of the six classical systems of Indian philosophy. Vak Speech. Vakya Proposition; sentence. Vkyrtha Object and meaning of a sentence.
Glossary of Sanskrit Terms Varna Vyu Veda
155
Phoneme. Wind, air. Knowledge; the whole body of Sacred Scriptures which entails the pramna characteristics in all its parts, and being apauruseya> it distinguishes itself from all non-Vedic texts. Vednta End of the Veda as final conclusion ofVedic teaching; One of the six classical systems of Indian philosophy. Vedavacana Vedic statement. Vidhi Vedic injunction which (strictly speaking) alone is the valid source of the knowledge of dharma; one type of the ten types of Brhmana. Vidy Knowledge. Vinasta Perished. Visesa Particular feature, specific distinction (opposed to smnya). Visesana Distinguishing, qualifying factor;" specific characteristic which conforms with krti. Visesa What can be distinguished. Visista Distinguished (object) Vivarta Emanation, apparent change or transformation. Vrsabha Bull. Vrtti Secondary significative function of words. Vyavahranitya Permanent (in its usage). Vyakti Individual. Vymoha Confusion.
BIBLIOGRAPHY (a) Primary Sources
Mimrfisdarsana, containing the Mimmsstra of Jaimini the Sbarabh$ya, the Tantravrttika, and the Tuptik of Kumrila Bhatta, nandsrama Sanskrit Series 97, Vol. I, 41976, Vol. II, 21970, Vol. Ill, 21971, Vol. IV, 2 1972, Vol. V, 21973? Vol VI, 21974, Vol. VII, 21974. Poona. Mimmsstrabhsyam 1,1,1-5, Sabarasvmfs Bhsyam zu den Mirrimsstren I, 1 1-5, edited and translated into German by Erich Frauwallner, in : Materialien zur ltesten Erkenntnislehre der Karmamimms. (Oest. Akad. der Wiss. Phil-Hist. Kl. Sitzungsberichte 259. Band, 2. Abhandlung) Wien 1968, 7-61. gveda Samhit together with the commentary of Syancrya. Published by Vaidika Samsodhana Mandate, Poona. Slokavrttika of Sri Kumrila Bhatta, with the commentary Nyyaratnkara of Sri Prthasrathi Misra edited and revised by Swmi Dwkikdsa Sstri, Tara Publications, Varanasi, 1978. Vkyapadiya of Bhartrhari with the commentaries Vrttl and Paddhati of Vrsabhadeva Knda I, edited by K.A. Subramania Iyer. (Deccan College Monograph Series, 32. Poona, 1966.) (b) Secondary Literature BHATT, G.P., Epistemology of the Bhtta School of Prva Mimms, Varanasi, 1962. BIARDEAU, M., Theorie de la Connaissance et Philosophie de la Parole dans le brahmanisme classique, Paris, 1964. CHETHIMATTAM,J.B.,Scriptural Hermeneutics according to the Vedantic Bhasyakaras, in:AMALORPAVADASS,
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D.S., (ed.), Research Seminar on Non-Biblical Scriptures, Bangalore, 1974, 360-365. CHINTAMANI, T.R.,A Short History of Prvamimips Literature. Ph. D. thesis, University of Madras. DATTA, D.M.,The Six Ways of Knowing. A Critical Study of the Advaita Theory of Knowledge, Calcutta,21972. D E V A S T H A L I , G.V., On the probable date of Sabarasvmin, in : Silver Jubilee Volume, Bhandarkar Institute 1917-42, Poona. DRAVID, R.R.Language, Thought and Reality, in : R,C. PANDEYA, S.R. BHATT (eds. )., Knowledge, Culture and Value, Delhi, 1976, 447-453. D'SA, F.X.,Kumrila's Theorie der Worterkenntnis. Dissertation. Wien, 1973. Revelation without a God. Rumania's theory of sabdapramanam, in : AMALORPAVADASS, D.S. (ed.), Research Seminar on Non-Biblical Scriptures, Bangalore, 1974, 469-487. FRAUWALLNER, E., Das Eindringen der Sprachtheorie in die Indischen philosophischen Systeme. Indologentagung 1959. Verhandlungen der Indol. Arbeitstagung in Essen-Bredeny, Gttingen 1960, 239-243. Sprachtheorie und Philosophie im Mahbhsyam des Patanjali, in : Wienerzeitschrift fr die Kunde Sd und Ostasiens und Archiv fr Indische Philosophie 4(1960) 92-118. Mimmsstram I, 1, 6-23, in : Wienerzeitschrift fr die Kunde Sdund Ostasiens und Archiv fr Indische Philosophie, 5(1961) 113-124. Materialien zur ltesten Erkenntnislehre der Karmamimips. (Oest. Akad. der Wiss. Phil. Hist. Kl. Sitzungsberichte 259. Band, 2. Abhandlung) Wien. 1968. GADAMER, H.G.,Wahrheit und Methode. Grundzge einer philosophischen Hermeneutik, Tbingen 2nd ed. 1965. GARGE, D.V.,The Contribution of the Sbara-Bhsyato Rgveda Exegesis; or the Treatment by Sabara of the Rgveda-Passages cited in his Bhsya, in; Bulletin of the
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Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Poona, 3.4.pp.531-546. Citations in Sbara-Bhsya, Deccan College Dissertation Series 8, Poona, 1952. GREGORIOS, P.Hermeneutics in India today in the Light of the World Debate, in : The Indian Journal of Theology, 28 (1979) 1-14. IYER, K.A.S..Bhartrhari on vykarana as a means of attaining moksa, in : The Adyar Library Bulletin 27, Parts l-2,Mag. 1964, pp. 112-131. Bhartrhari, A study of the Vkyapadiya in the light of the Ancient Commentaries, Poona, 1969. JHA, G., Sbara-Bhsya (English Translation in 3 Volumes) : Gaekwad's Oriental Series, No. 66, 70, 73, Baroda, 1933. Prva Mimmsin its Sources, Varanasi, 1964. KANE, P.V.,History of Dharmasstra. Government Oriental Series Class B, No. 6. Second Edition Vol. I-V Part I, 2 1968-75; Vol, V Part II, 1962, Poona. KUPPUSWAMI, B.,A Modern Review of Hindu Dharma, in : Journal of Dharma, 1 (1975) 118-130. LADRIERE, J.,The Performativity of Liturgical Language, in : Concilium 2 (1973) No.9, 50-62. LEHMANN, K.,Hermeneutics, in : RAHNER, K., ERNST, C, SMYTH, K., (eds.), Sacramentum Mundi. An Encyclopedia of Theology. 6 Vol., Vol. III. Banglore 1975, 23-27. LIENHARD, S.,Einige Bemerkungen ber Sabdabrahman and vivarta bei Bhavabhti,in : Wienerzeitschrift fr die Kunde Sd-und Ostasiens und Archiv fr Indische Philosophie, 12 (1968) 216-219. MANICKAM, T.M.,Manu's Vision on the Hindu Dharma, in : Journal of Dharma 1 (1975) 101-117. MISRA, R.S.,Studies in Philosophy and Religion, Varanasi, 1971. MISRA, U.,Index to the English Translation of ShabaraBhsya (Published as Numbers 66, 70 and 73 in the Gaekwad's Oriental Series), Gaekwad's Oriental Series No. 103, Baroda, 1945.
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Critical Bibliography of Mimms, in : JHA, G., Prva-Mimms in its Sources, (Appendix), Varanasi 2 1964. MURTI, T.R.V.,The Central Philosophy of Buddhism, A Study of the Mdhyamika System. London, 41974. Some Thoughts on the Indian Philosophy of Language. Presidential Address on the Indian Philosophical Congress, 37th Session (Chandigarh) 1963. Some Comments on the Philosophy of Language in the Indian Context, in : Journal of Indian Philosophy (Toronto) 2 (1974) 321-331. Knowledge and Truth, in : R. C. PANDEYA, S.R. BHATT (eds.), Knowledge, Culture and Value, Delhi, 1976. (Motilal Banarsidass) MURTY,K.S.,Revelation and Reason in Advaita Vednta, Delhi, 21974. (Motilal Banarsidass) PANDEY, S.L.,Indian Views of Theological Statements, in : Bharata Manisha Quarterly, 1 (1976), No. 4, 33-41. PANDEYA, R . C T h e Problem of Meaning in Indian Philosophy, Delhi, 1963. (Motilal Banarsidass) PANIKKAR., R.,Die Begrndung des hermeneutischen Pluralismus im Hinduismus, in; Kerygma und Mythos VI, Bd. II Entmythologisierung und Bild., Hamburg 1964, 119-136. The Vedic Experience. Mantramafijarl. An Anthology of the Vedas for Modern Man and Contemporary Celebration, London, 1977. PATHAK, C., Brahma-Jijns as a Fundamental Hermeneutics, in:Bharata Manisha Quarterly 1 (1976) No. 4,13-27. RAJA, K.K.,Indian Theories of Meaning, Madras, 1963. RAMAN, N.S.S.,The Problem of Philosophical Translation (with special reference to the idealist texts of Indian and Western Philosophy), in : Indian Philosophical Annual, 7 (1971) 1-16. The Language of Myth in Religion, in : Journal of Dharma 2 (1977) 372-381. RUEGG, D.S., Contributions 1'histoire de la philosophic linguistique indienne, Paris, 1959.
160
SASTRI, G.,The Philosophy of Word and Meaning, Calcutta,. 1959. WILSON, H.H.,Rig Veda. Translations and Notes. Vol. Ill, Poona 1926. ZANGENBERG, F.,Sabarah und seine philosophischen Quellen, in : Wienerzeitschrift fr die Kunde Sd- und Ostasiens und Archiv fr Indische Philosophie, 6 (1962) 60-77.
INDEX
Abhva 38, 62 Adhvaryu 26, 82 Agni 26, 105-107, 114 Aikarpya {sabda) 59, 61, 64-66, 6869, 92, 106 kra 14-15, 20, 64 JMfo 64-65 krti 47-55, 60-61, 64, 72-73, 89, 92, 106, 108 Aksara 40, 56 Aridi {sabda) 58-59 Anumna 17, 20, 25, 33, 38, 42, 54, 76n, 81, 83, 89 Anupalabdhi 76n Apauruseya tman 21 sabda 44-47, 51-53, 59, 67-69, 74, 76-77 Veda 79, 81, 84 ,4/wmz 13, 21, 28-36, 80,110 Artha 13n, 14-18, 20-22, 25-28, 3536, 42-60, 64, 70-77, 80-81, 83, 87, 89-91, 95-98, 100-101, 103-107, 110-112 Arthpatti 38, 76n, 79 Arthavda 24, 27, 80 tman 15-18, 21n, 22-23, 32-34, 45n, 97n, 109, 115 Autpattika {sabda) 42, 45, 47, 51, 55, 60-61, 68-69, 72-77, 84, 89-91, 9596, 100, 108 Being 6, 12n, 18, 42-43, 99, 120 Bhartrhari 5-6, 115, 117 Bhatt,' G. P. 2n, 39n, 42n Bhavadsa 10 Bhvan 31-35, 72 Biardeau, M. 2n, 8n, 9, 12n, 13n, 14n, 27, 30-31, 43-44, 53-54, 62, 64, 72 Bhakti {sabda) 106n Brahman 6 Brhman 15n, 16n, 26, 114 Brhadranyakopanisad 15n Buddhism 12n Cognition 5, 8, 15-17, 21n, 25, 27, 35, 42, 44, 49-50, 56-57, 59, 62, 69, 71, 74-76, 81-83, 90, 99, 112, 120n, see also knowledge Commentary 115 Communication 4-7, 35, 41, 46, 69, 73, 88, 91-92 Datta, D. M. 2n, 117, 120n Demythologization 24 Devasthali G.V. 9n Devat 13, 21, 33, 70n, 109, 111-112, 115-117 existence and presence of 23-28, 35-36, 52-53, 96-98, 106 and anthropomorphism 24, 26 and sacrifice 23-28 and svarga 25-26 and sabda 26-28, 35-36, 44, 97 and pratyaksa 24-25, 35-36 Dharma 8, 12, 34, 38-39, 68, 70, 72, 80, 82, 85-87, 91, 103-104, 121-122 Dialogue 86-87 Dignga 10 Dravid, R. R. 2n Dravya 20, 32 D'Sa, F. X. 2n, 31, 48n Effective history 5-6 Empiricism 98, 121 Epistemology 41-42, 64 Estrangement/Alienation 86-87, 9497, 99-101, 103, 108, 110, 112, 122 Etymology 107, 115 Experience 3, 77, 90, 110-111, 118121 Falsification 74-75, 77-78, 82-83, 89, 99, 117, 120 Frauwallner, E. 9-11, 48, 68n, 85n Gadamer, H. G. 1, 3-6 Garge, D. V. 2n, 9-10, 25-26, 107n, 111-112 Gaunasabda see sabda Grammar 114-115 Grammarian 6, 57, 68n Gregorios, P. 3n
Cause (ultimate) 6 Chethimattam, J. B. 3 n Chintamani, T. R. 67n Codan 12n, 25, 33n, 38-39, 51, 70, Happiness 23, 36, 99n, 104 Hayirbhk 23-26 72, 77-81, 102-104 ana non-injunctive statements 79-81 Heidegger 3
162
Hermeneutics////Mr hermeneutical problem 85-87, 9394, 105-106, see also estrangement task of 7, 93-94, 110 regional 7 hermeneutical awareness 8, 94-97, 99, 103-104, 107 nature of 1, 3-4, 8, 87, 93-100, 103104, 107-108, 110, 119-120 function of 93-102, 107-108, 110, 118-121 as process of integration 93-94,101, 103, 107, 119, see also interpretation and Western and Indian Philosophy 1-7 and sabda 39, 93, 97, 108 and language 1. 3, 6n, 7-8, 37, 8687, 93-96, 99, 120-121 see also experience Homa 19, 82 Hotr 26, 111-112 Hymn 23, see mantra Idea 15, 35, 47, 89 Idealism see language Imagination 116 Interpretation 1, 3-4, 7, 41n, 87, 103, 116 Intonation 100 Itihsa 26 Iyer, K.A.S. 2n, 115n

and reality 87-94, 96-97 as mystery 39 origin of 36, 88-90, 115 primordial and human 70-71, 73 77, 81-82, 90, 92-93 divine 36, 88, 115 Vedic 58n, 71, 92, 115-116 as signifying unit 88, 93 and mediation 4, 35, 41, 54-55 application of 88 and conventionalist/instrumentalist theory of signs and symbols 8889, 91-93, 95, 100, 116 and referential system 35, 91, 97 informationalist theory of 36 and sabda 39, 41, 50-51, 54, 63, 7273, 91-94 and hermeneutics 1, 8, 35, 93-94, 110, 120-121 and satyam 90-91, 93-95, 98-99,104 and idealism 35, 55, 96, 98 and objectivism 91, 94, 96-97 and realism 35-36, 55, 90, 94, 98 and subjectivism 4, 94, 96-97 see also experience and hermeneutics Lehmann, K. 7 Lienhard, S. 2n
Man 12, 16-18, 22-24, 25n, 29, 32-33, 36, 74, 86, 90, 92-94, 99-104, 107, 109-110, 116-122 Manickam, T. M. 13n Mantra 24-27, 29, 80, 111-112, 114Jaimini 8-9 116 Jti 48-50, 55, 72, 89 Meaning 4, 6,14,18, 39,45n, 58n, 72, Jha, G. 12n, 13n, 15n, 17n, 24, 28, 95, 99, 101-103, 105-109, 112, 11530n, 39n, 66, 80 116, 120 Jijns see hermeneutics Metaphysics 5-6, 35, 61, 63, 67, 98, Jnna 2, 13n 115-116, 121 Metre 111, 114 kra 40, 56 Mimms Stra 8:9, 11, 12n Knowledge 5, 7-8, 13n, 15-18, 27, 52, Mimmsaka (pre-Sabara) 9 70, 74, 76-78, 91-92, 95, 97-99, 104, Misra, R. S. 13n 109-112, 117-122 Misra, U. 9n Kumrila Bhatta 11, 18, 48n, 59, 61, Mleccha 92 66-67, 112-113, 117 Moksa 115 Kuppuswamy, B. 13n Monier-Williams, M. 14n, 29n, 42n, 87n Ladriere, J. 36n Murti,T.R.V. 2n, 4-6,13n, 115,116n, Laksan 106n 117, 120n Language 1, 3-7, 11, 87-88 Murty, K. S. 2n, 9n, 45n nature of 8, 35, 39, 88-93, 110, 118, 120-121 function of 35, 39, 54-55, 84, 90-96, Nda 40, 62, 65-66 98, 110, 118, 120-121, see also Name 15n, 27n, 30,79-80 Negation 97-98, 118-119 communication scope of 35-36, 38, 84, 91, 93-94, Niravayava {sabda) 59, 64-66, 68-69 Nisedha 80 96-97
Index
Nitya {iabda) 11, 43-44, 47, 49n, 51, 55, 58, 60-69, 72-73, 75-76, 84 Noise 39-40 Noun 30, 51-52, 113 Nyya (principle of interpretation) 1, 87, 107 Nyya (-School) 44 Ontology 6n, 41-42, 64 Pada 40, 56, 59-60, 71-72, see also sabda Pandey, S. L. 116-117 Pandeya, R. C. 2n, 12n, 58n, 90n Panikkar, R. 2n, 3n Pnini 45-47 Patanjali 112-113, 116-117 Pathak, C. 3n Phenomenology 5-6 Philosophy (Western) 1, 3-4, 6n, 30n, 42 Phoneme 39-40, 56-60, 62, 66-67, 88, 90, 105 Pingala 45 Pramna 2, 38, 61-62, 75-77, 81-83, 105' Pratisedha 80 Pratyaksa 2, 8, 12-15, 17-18, 20-21, 24, 27-29, 33-36, 38, 43, 46, 49-51, 53, 56, 58-65, 67-68, 75-77, 81, 8384, 89, 93, 96, 105-106, 109-110, 118 Psychoanalysis 120n Purna 26 Prva Mimrris 1-3, 6-10, 12n, 13n
163
andi, sdhusabda, krti, meaning function of 26-28, 30, 48n, 55, 64, 69, 73-78, 92-95, 97, 101-103, 110-112, 120 divine/human authorship and origin of 43-47, 55, 67n, 68 conventionalist theory of 45-49, 51-52, 55, 64 as signifying unit 41-42, 47, 54, 60, 66, 72, 92-93, 111 as sdhusabda 56-60, 73, 88-89, 92, 105-107, 112, 118 apabhramsa 57-59 as linguistic sign 88 see sdhusabda as symbol 6, 47, 88 see language conventionalist theory as pramna 8, 51, 74, 76-78, 80-84, 101, 110, 112, 117, 120 multidimensional meaning of 3942, 104-108, 111-112, see also meaning presence of object through 26-27, 55, 94-97, 103,106, see function
usage of 39,45-47, 51, 58-59, 64, 68, 70-71, 74, 102, 107, 111 and reality 39, 42, 53, 55, 73 and language 13, 39, 41, 59, 63, 7273, 91-93 and Veda 19-21, 33, 68-69, 70-71, 77-84 sabda-brahman 6, 117 sabda-tattva 6 sabddvaita 115 bhvasabda 30 gaunasabda 105-106, 108, 111-115 Raja, K. K. 58n, 67n, 106n jaghanyasabda 105-106 Raman, N.S.S. 41n, 94n karmasabda 30 Realism/Reality (drsta, adrstd) 7-8, mukhyasabda 105 11-18, 20-23, 25, 27-30, 32-37, 4143, 47-48, 50-55, 67-68, 73-74, 78, Sacrifice 13n, 14, 19-20, 22-34, 36, 81, 83-84, 87-98, 103-104, 106-110, 1^2, 106, 111-112, 114-117 119-122 Sakti 2 Rebirth 12n Smnya 49 Recognition 16, 22 Sanskrit 58n Rhythm 100 Sastri, G. 2n Romanticism (German) 3 Satapatha Brhmana 15n Rsi 44 Satyam 90-91, 93-96, 98-99, 104, 110, Ruegg, D. S. 61 n 119, 122 Rpa 26, 90n, 95-96, 98, 106, 111, see Srautastra 9 also kra Syana 112-114, 117 Sbara Bhsya 1-3, 6-11 Scripture (rabbinical) 7 Sabda 2, 7-8, 14, 19-20, 34-35, 110, Sense organ 35, 42n, 61, 75-76, 78, 112-117 82, 89, 96, 106 term of 39-42 Similarity 57, 79, 106n characteristics and nature of 8,105, Sound 11, 39-40, 68n, 79, 100 110, see autpattika, apauruseya, Smrti 10, 21, 24, 71, 77-78, 82, 91, nitya, aikarpya, niravayava, 119-120
164
descriptive speech 21-23, 26, 29-30* &ruti 27n, 38, 68, see Veda, Sabda36, 96-98, 116 pramna Sktabhk 23, 26 Svarga 12n, 13, 17n, 20-23, 25-26, Varna see phoneme 29-34, 36, 52, 99n, 104,108-109 Vasubandhu 9-10 Svayampratyaya 76, 90, 117, see cog- Veda 8, 10, 21, 24-26, 33, 38, 68-69, nition, knowledge 70-73, 78-84, 86, 91, 99n, 100, 102Synonym 58 104, 111-116, see also codan authority of 81, see sabdapramna Tradition 1-2, 6-7, 12n, 81-82, 89, 91, Vedic act/rite 12n, 13n, 14, 19-20, 101-104, 115, 116n 22, 25n, 26-27, 58n, see sacrifice Transcendentalism 6 Verb 30-32, 113 Translation 39, 41 Verification 74-75, 89 Vidhi 78, 80, see codan Umbeka 85n Vidy 2 Understanding 3-8, 41, 86-87, 89, 93- Visesana 49-51 96, 98-104, 107-108, 110-122 Vivarta 6 Upadesa 38 Vrddhi 45 Upamna 38, 76n Vrtti (sabda) 106n Upavarsa 55 Vrttikra of Sabara 9-10, 19, 39n of Dignga 10 Vaisesika 44 Vrsagana 9 Vk 2, 5, 115, 117 Vyakti'4S-51, 54-55, 64, 66, 72, 89 Vkya (sentence, statement) meaningful unit of words 71-74, Vyapadesa 12 81-84, 88, 108, 110, 112 validity of 71, 77-78, 83, 93, 108, Wilson, H. H. 112 110,112 Word see sabda invalidity of 82-83 function of 73 Yska 112-114, 117 Vedic71, 77-82, 112 Vedic and non-Vedic 81-83, 92 Zangenberg, F. 8-10 oral and written speech 99-101

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HERMENEUTICS AND LANGUAGE IN PRVA MIMMS

MOTILAL BANARS1DASS PUBLISHERS PRIVATE LIMITEDDELHI

First Edition: Delhi, 198B Reprinted: Delhi, 1990

MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHERS PVT. LTD.

V. LANGUAGE AS THE CORE OF HERMENEUTIC S 85

MAN'S EXPERIENCE WITH LANGUAGE THROUGH HERMENEUTICS

109 125 149 156 156 161

Hermeneutics and Language

Hermeneutics and Language

Hermeneutics and Languag

Hermeneutics and Language

dans le brahmanisme classique, Paris, 1964. The second chapter of Part I

Philosophie 6 (1962) 60-77, p. 60. (Quoted henceforth: ZANGENBERG,

Hermeneutics and Language

ABARA'S VIEW OF REALITY

Sahara's View of Reality

14 1. The drtfa or the Visible

Hermeneutics and Language

Sahara's View of Reality

Hermeneutics and Language

Sahara's View of Reality

Hermeneutics and Language

Sahara's View of Reality

Sahara's View of Reality

Hermeneutics and Language

Sahara's View of Reality

Hermeneutics and Language

Sahara's View of Reality

Hermeneutics and Language

Sahara's View of Reality

Hermeneutics and Language

Sahara's View of Reality

Hermeneutics and Language

Sahara's View of Reality

Hermeneutics and Language

Sahara's View of Reality

Hermeneutics and Language

Sahara's View of Reality

Hermeneutics and Language

Sahara's View of Reality

SABARA'S VIEW OF LANGUAGE : SABDA AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS

Sahara's View of Language

Sahara's View of Language

Hermeneutics and Language

Sahara's View of Language

17. 18. 19. 20.

Sahara's View of Language

Hermeneutics and Language

24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29.

Bh. Bh. Bh. Bh. Bh. Bh.

1.1.5 1.1.5 1.1.5 1.1.5 1.1.5 1.1.5

Sahara's View of Language

Sahara's View of Language

Hermeneutics and Language

S. Bh. 1.3.33-(see text p. 140).

tabard's View of Language

Hermeneutics and Language

Sahara's View of Language

Hermeneutics and Language