Apaurusheyatva of the Vedas

8/12/2019 Apaurusheyatva of the Vedas

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APAURUSHEYATVA OF THE VEDAS THE TRADITIONAL PROOF

1. INTRODUCTION

There are two kin! o" #roo"! o""ere in the Vei$ traition to !how thatthe

Vea! are a#a%r%!he&a. One i! a #hi'o!o#hi$a' #roo" (a!e on)i*a*!a. Thi! #roo"ha! (een #re!ente in P%r+a )i*a*!a an the !a*e ha! (een ao#te

(& Uttara)i*a*!a ,Veanta-. One wo%' nee to (e a$%ainte with )i*a*!ain orer to/ra!# the nat%re o" thi! #roo". 0%t "or the +a!t *aorit& o" Hin%! whoare note2#e$te to %ner!tan the !%(t'etie! an intri$a$ie! o" thi! #roo"3 thetraition o""er! an a'ternate #roo" that oe! not e#en on know'e/e o")i*a*!a. The !tren/th o" the #roo" 'ie! in thi! +er& "a$t4 that it oe! notre'&on e+ien$e that $o*e! "ro* the Vea! an hen$e it a+oi! the kin o"$ir$%'arit& o" rea!onin/ that wo%' ari!e i" a *an who ha! no know'e/eo")i*a*!a were to !a& that the e+ien$e o" a#a%r%!he&at+a o" the Vea!$o*e! "ro*the Vea!. For then the %e!tion wo%' ari!e4 On what (a!i! *a& we

(e'ie+e thatthe Vei$ !tate*ent i! tr%e5 The re#'& wo%' (e4 The Vei$ !tate*ent i!tr%e

(e$a%!e the& $o*e "ro* the Vea! whi$h are a#a%r%!he&a an "a%'t'e!!.An onwhat (a!i! *a& we !a& that the Vea! are a#a%r%!he&a an "a%'t'e!!5One wo%' (e"or$e to re#'&4 (e$a%!e the Vea! !a& !o. There wo%' (e *%t%a'inter6e#enen$e (etween the thin/ to (e #ro+e an the /ro%n on

whi$h the#roo" i! o""ere. 0%t the a'ternate3 an *ore *%nane3 #roo" o""ere (&the

Vei$ traition a+oi! thi! kin o" $ir$%'arit& o" rea!onin/ "ro* ari!in/(&*akin/ the #roo" tota''& ine#enent o" the know'e/e $ontaine in the

Vea!. At"ir!t !i/ht the #roo" *a& not a##ear to (e a #roo" at a''4 "or the #roo" o"the


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a#a%r%!ha&at+a o" the Vea! i! !i*#'& the "a$t that no a%thor ha! (een#er$ei+ee+en tho%/h there e2i!t! an %n(roken an (e/innin/'e!! traition o"hanin/ ownthe Vea! "ro* tea$her to !t%ent. 0%t e!#ite it! !ee*in/ nai+et&3 it i!anin$ontro+erti('e #roo" an we wi'' tr& to !how in thi! #o!t wh& it i!in$ontro+erti('e.

At the o%t!et3 I wo%' 'ike to #oint o%t that the #roo" i! not *eant to#ro+ethe A#a%r%!he&at+a o" the Vea! to an athei!t. The %e!tion o" whethera!$ri#t%re i! #a%r%!he&a or a#a%r%!he&a wo%' *ake no !en!e to a#er!on who oe!not (e'ie+e in !$ri#t%re!3 i.e. who i! not wi''in/ to $on!ier that there*a& (ean in$or#orea' rea'* (e&on the #er$ei+e wor'. A !$ri#t%re wo%' (e*eanin/'e!! to !%$h a #er!on. There"ore3 it wo%' (e e%a''&*eanin/'e!! toatte*#t to !how hi* that a #arti$%'ar !$ri#t%re i! a#a%r%!he&a.

7. THE CONTE8T

In orer to a##re$iate the !tren/th o" the traitiona' #roo"3 we wo%'nee to%ner!tan the terrain o" hi!tor& in whi$h the Vea! wa! on$e the hearto" a'i+in/ traition3 /o+ernin/ e+er& a!#e$t o" h%*an 'i"e an in"%!in/ it

with a!en!e o" in!#iration an !%('i*it&. The Vea! !too at the heart o" a$%'t%rethat #ro%$e the "ine!t e2a*#'e! in a'*o!t e+er& "ie' o" h%*ana$ti+it&3 (e itin the !$ien$e!3 the art!3 'iterat%re3 #oetr&3 *%!i$3 an$e3 eroti$!3rhetori$3ar$hite$t%re3 #o'iti$!3 war"are3 ethi$!3 or #hi'o!o#h&. Nowhere e'!e in the

wor' o we "in a $%'t%re that3 on the one han3 #%'!e with !%$he2%(eran$e o"'i"e3 an on the other3 "o%n it! hi/he!t iea' in a !%#re*e ren%n$iationthat


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!ta//er! the i*a/ination toa&. An nowhere e'!e in the wor' o we"in +irt%e3

%!ti$e3 $ha!tit&3 tr%th3 har*a an the #%r!%it o" know'e/e $arrie to!%$h'i*it! a! the& ha+e (een one here. 9e nee to (e a('e to 'ook at thati!tant#a!t not in ter*! o" *ere hi!tori$a' $hrono'o/ie!3 (%t with e&e! that $an!eethe wor' a! #eo#'e !aw it in tho!e a&!. Unti' we $an o !o3 the wor:traition: i! %!t a wor3 (ere"t o" the 'i/ht that *ake! it! *eanin/ !how"orth in it! "%''e!t i*#ort. 0%t !%$h a thin/ i! i""i$%'t "or %! toa& when

weha+e a'' (%t 'o!t o%r $onne$tion with the 'i+in/ water! o" that traition.The'ea!t we $an o here3 when we are i!$%!!in/ the to#i$ o"

A#a%r%!he&at+a o" theVea!3 i! to tr& an re$on!tr%$t the $onte2t in whi$h the ter* wa! !eenin a$ertain 'i/ht in!tea o" $on!ierin/ it in a ('an *anner3 i!o'ate "ro*the

+ario%! !tran! o" the traitiona' the*e o" %na%thorene!!. In thi!!e$tion3 I!ha'' tr& to #re!ent !o*e o" the!e !tran! 6 !tran! that are inter'ea+e

withthe the*e 6 !o that we *a& (e a('e to /et a /'i*#!e o" the terrain in

whi$h the$on$e#t he' !wa&. It *a& (e a "ee('e atte*#t on *& #art $on!ierin/the (reathan !$o#e o" the to#i$3 (%t a "ee('e atte*#t i! (etter than not *akin/an&atte*#t at a''.

;. DIVERSE STRANDS OF THE THE)E OF UNAUTHOREDNESS

The traitiona' #roo" "or the a#a%r%!he&at+a o" the Vea! *a& (e#re!ente in

%!t a "ew !enten$e!. 0%t a! *entione in the intro%$tion to thi! #o!t3 iti!ne$e!!ar& to $on!ier the i+er!e !tran! that "or*e the r%(ri$ o" thetraition in whi$h the #roo" wa! o""ere. 9e !ha'' #re!ent here !o*e o"the!e


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!tran! %ner the "o''owin/ !%(6heain/!4

Centra' Core o" the TraitionD%a'6Cate/ori


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There i! an %n(roken traition "ro* the #a!t that ho'! the Vea! to (e%na%thore (& h%*an!. There ha! (een no #oint in hi!tor& when an&oneha! $'ai*ea%thor!hi# o" the Vea!. On the $ontrar&3 e+er& !eer3 e+er& /reat #er!on3ha!on'& $on"ir*e it! %na%thorene!!. The Vea! ha+e a'wa&! $arrie withthe*3 eraa"ter era3 eon a"ter eon3 the i!tin$tion o" (ein/ %na%thore (& h%*an

(ein/!.A! *entione a(o+e3 the $ontention (etween the )i*a*!ika! anN&a&a&ika!re/arin/ the Vea! i! not a(o%t it (ein/ %na%thore (& h%*an!3 it i!re/arin/it a! (ein/ %na%thore e+en (& ?o. 0%t a! re/ar! the %a'i"i$ationattri(%teto the Vea! that it ha! no h%*an a%thor3 there i! no i""eren$e (etweenthetraitiona' !$hoo'!. It i! a the*e that !tan! (ero$k a! the "o%nationon

whi$h the traition ha! $ontin%e %n(roken !in$e (e/innin/'e!! ti*e!.

ii- ETY)OLO?Y OF THE 9ORD :RISHI:

The A#a%r%!he&a Vea! are !ai to ha+e irr%#te into the *%nanewor' at two!ta/e!4 ,i- at the !ta/e o" $reation when it wa! re+ea'e (& I!h+ara to0rah*a3an ,ii- %rin/ the ear'& !ta/e! a"ter $reation3 in =rita &%/a an Treta

&%/a3when it wa! !een (& the Ri!hi! %rin/ their ta#a!.

The "ir!t #oint o" *ani"e!tation3 i.e.3 "ro* I!h+ara to 0rah*a3 oe! notini$ate h%*an a%thor!hi# (e$a%!e I!h+ara i! not h%*an. Now3 a!re/ar! the!e$on #oint o" *ani"e!tation o" the Vea! into the *%nane wor'3 i.e.3*ani"e!tation thro%/h the ri!hi!3 the root o" the wor :ri!hi: ini$ate!the*anner o" it! *ani"e!tation. 0& :root: i! *eant the !o%r$e "ro* whi$hthe worha it! ori/in. The !$ien$e3 or +i&a3 "ro* whi$h the !o%r$e! o" *eanin/!o"


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wor! *a& (e o(taine3 i! Et&*o'o/&. The Vean/a re'ate toEt&*o'o/& i!Nir%kta. Nir%kta wa! re+ea'e to the wor' (& the ri!hi3 Ya!ka$har&a.

A$$orin/ to Nir%kta3 the et&*o'o/& o" the wor :ri!hi: $o*e! "ro*:(ein/ a!eer:4 :ri!hih ar!hanath:. Here i! the %ote "ro* ,a tran!'ation- o" theNir%kta4

@A Ri!hi i! !o $a''e "ro* hi! ha+in/ +i!ion. :He !aw the *antra!3: !a&!A%#a*an&a+a. It i! known4 (e$a%!e the !e'"6(orn 0rah*a *ani"e!tehi*!e'" tothe* whi'e ,the& were- #ra$ti$in/ ta#ah ,a%!teritie!-3 the& (e$a*e ri!hi!,!eer!- that i! the $hara$teri!ti$ o" !eer!.@ ,Nir%kta.7.11-

So3 the +er& wor :ri!hi: ha! it! ori/in in the e+ent o" :!eein/:3 o" (ein/ ar!hta ,!eer-. Thi! i! the !e$on !tran o" the traition. The "ir!t !trani!:%n(rokenne!!:3 or %n(roken $ontin%it&3 o" the traition. The !e$on!trane2#'ain! the %n(rokenne!! at the two #oint! o" the irr%#tion o" the

Vea! intothe *%nane wor'. An at (oth #oint! o" irr%#tion3 i.e.3 %rin/ $reationa!

we'' a! #o!t $reation3 the& ha no h%*an a%thor (e$a%!e "ir!t'&3 I!h+arawhore+ea'e the* i! not h%*an an3 !e$on'&3 the ri!hi! who /a+e the* tothe wor'!aw the* an not $reate the*.

iii- E8ISTENCE OF )ULTIPLE RISHIS FOR THE SA)E )ANTRA,THE I))UNE SYSTE)-

E+er& Vei$ *antra i! a!!o$iate with three thin/!4 a ri!hi ,the !eer o"the*antra-3 a e+ata ,the /o who #re!ie! o+er the *antra- an a $hana,the *eterin whi$h it i! $hante-.

The Vea! $ontain *an& *antra!3 or e+en entire !%kta!3 that werere+ea'e to*%'ti#'e ri!hi!. The !%kta known a! B)an&%6!%kta: ha! two ri!hi!3


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0hri/h% an)an&%3 who !aw the* at i""erent ti*e!. There are !%kta! that werere+ea'e to!e+en ri!hi!3 an there are *antra! that were re+ea'e to a! *an& a! ah%nreri!hi! an !o*e to e+en a tho%!an ri!hi!. I ha+e (een to' that R/ Vea.an .;> #ro+ie !o*e /oo e2a*#'e! o" !%$h $a!e!.

The *%'ti#'i$it& o" ri!hi! "or the !a*e *antra! "or*! the $ore i**%ne!&!te*that /%ar! the traition o" %na%thorene!! a/ain!t $o%nter6$'ai*!. It i!'ikea Co#&ri/ht "or %na%thorene!! that #re+ent! an&one "ro* $'ai*in/a%thor!hi# o"the *antra!. In a re$ent S%#re*e Co%rt $a!e3 there wa! a $o*#an& thatha "i'ea $a!e a/ain!t another $o*#an& !a&in/ that their %!e the na*e :=ri!hna:in their#ro%$t6(ranin/ wa! an in"rin/e*ent o" #ro#ert& !in$e the na*e wa!a'rea& in%!e (& the "ir!t $o*#an&. The S%#re*e Co%rt ree$te the $'ai* !tatin/that thena*e :=ri!hna: i! the $o**on #ro#ert& o" e+er&one in o%r $%'t%re anthat no(o&$an $'ai* %ni%e #ro#rietor!hi# to the na*e. The $a!e i! !i*i'ar here.The Vei$*antra! are the $o**on #ro#ert& o" the %ni+er!e an none3 neither a*orta' nor a/o3 $an $'ai* it! a%thor!hi#.

The!e three e'e*ent! to/ether "or* the $entra' $ore o" the ti*e'e!!traition o"a#a%r%!he&at+a o" the Vea!. Now we !ha'' $on!ier the #er+a!i+ene!!o" thetraition (& $on!ierin/ other a!#e$t! o" the traitiona' $%'t%re that wa!#re+a'ent in the 'an !%$h a! the e%$ation !&!te* an the *ain#hi'o!o#hi$a'tenet! that wa! the in!#iration o" the Vei$ $i+i'i


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*o!t in"'%en$e! %! i! 'an/%a/e. It i! not i""i$%'t to %ner!tan wh&.Lan/%a/e!ha#e! the wa& we think an the wa& we 'ook at the wor'. Lan/%a/e'en!!tr%$t%re to an otherwi!e a*or#ho%! rea'it& an "%rni!he! it withi!tin$ti+e"eat%re! an i!tin$ti+e o(e$t! that ha+e +a'%e to %!. Re$ent !t%ie! in'an/%a/e too a$know'e/e thi! "a$t a! *%$h a! the Vei$ #hi'o!o#hie!o. Theentire te2t%re an "'a+or o" o%r wor'+iew i! eter*ine (& the 'an/%a/e

we %!e.Inee3 it wo%' har'& (e an e2a//eration to !a& that it i! the 'an/%a/eo" a$i+i'i


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he!t%ie were V&akarana ,?ra**aran Nir%kta ,Et&*o'o/&-. 9e !ha''#ro+iee+ien$e to !how that in (oth the!e +i&a!3 the a#a%r%!he&at+a o" the

Vea! i! a"%na*enta' /ro%n on whi$h the +i&a i! (a!e.

i- ?RA))AR ,VYA=ARANA-

The re"ine*ent o" a 'an/%a/e i! eter*ine (& the #er"e$tion o" it!/ra**ar. Inthe entire wor'3 there i! no other 'an/%a/e that ha! a /ra**ar a!#er"e$t or a!re"ine a! that o" San!krit. E+en $onte*#orar& !$ho'ar! ha+ea$know'e/e thi!"a$t. Inee3 the +er& wor :Sa*!krita*: *ean! :re"ine: or :#er"e$te:.Sir)onier 9i''ia*! !a&!3 @The Panini /ra**ar re"'e$t! the wonro%!$a#a$it& o" theh%*an (rain3 whi$h ti'' toa& no other $o%ntr& ha! (een a('e to #ro%$ee2$e#tInia@. E+en tho!e who were not e!#e$ia''& "rien'& to the Vei$traition3 !%$ha! Sir 9i''ia* one!3 were "or$e to a$know'e/e thi! "a$t3 "or he !ai4@The'an/%a/e o" Sa*!krita* i! o" a woner"%' !tr%$t%re3 *ore #er"e$t than?reek3*ore $o#io%! than Latin an *ore e2%i!ite'& re"ine than either.@

Panini:! A!htah&a&i i! the (a!e work o" ?ra**ar an it i! nor*a''&!t%iea'on/ with the )aha(ha!h&a o" Patana'i. The (ha!h&a to the +er& "ir!t!%tra o"Panini $ontain! the notion o" %a' $ate/ori


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i! a 'on/ #ro$e!!3 the wor :atha: ini$ate! the $o**en$e*ent o" !%$h ato#i$.The a$tion o" in!tr%$tion ha! "or it! o(e$t3 :the wor!:..... O" what

wor!5 O"the 'a%kika an the Vaiika. There3 the 'a%kika are4 $ow3 hor!e3 *an3e'e#hant3

(ea!t3 0rah*in an !o "orth. There3 the Vaiika are !anno e+ira(hi!ta&e ,*a&the !hinin/ /oo (e "or the !a$ri"i$e! ,A.V.1.1.-- i!e t+orae t+a ,I $%tthee "or 'i(ation an !tren/th ,Y.V.1.1.1-- a/ni* i'e #%rohita* ,I aore

A/ni3the 'eaer ,R.V.1.1.1- A/na a&ahi +ita&e ,,Oh A/ni*3 *at tho% $o*e "orrinkin/the $'ari"ie (%tter ,S.V.1.1.1-.@

The Vartika to the (ha!h&a "%rther e2#'ain! the "%na*enta' i""eren$e(etweenthe!e two kin! o" wor!4 @In /i+in/ the e2a*#'e o" 'a%kika wor!3

wor! are!e#arate'& *entione at rano*. 0%t in /i+in/ the e2a*#'e o" Vaiika

wor!3 thee"inite orer in whi$h the& o$$%r $annot (e o+errien an it i! "orthatrea!on that the i''%!tration! o" Vaiika wor! are /i+en in the "or* o"!enten$e! in whi$h the& o$$%r.@

ii- ETY)OLO?Y ,NIRU=TA-

Et&*o'o/& wa! an i*#ortant #art o" e%$ation in Inia. In the 9e!t3 the"ir!tre"eren$e to Et&*o'o/& *a& (e "o%n in a ia'o/%e o" P'ato $a''e:Crat&'%!:. Inthat ia'o/%e3 So$rate! ar/%e! that ?reek wa! not the ori/ina' 'an/%a/eo" the

wor'. So$rate! !how! that the et&*o'o/i$a' ori/in! o" !o*e ?reekwor! 'ieo%t!ie the ?reek 'an/%a/e an he e*on!trate! that the re'ation!hi#

(etween!o%n6"or*! o" the ?reek 'an/%a/e an the o(e$t! o" the wor' #oint!to ano'er 'an/%a/e "ro* whi$h ?reek *%!t ha+e ori/inate. In Inia3 thatori/ina'


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'an/%a/e wa! he' to (e Vei$ San!krit. In Nir%kta3 the !t%& o"Et&*o'o/&3 theori/in o" e+er& wor i! %'ti*ate'& tra$e to Vei$ San!krit. Inee3 theNir%kta

(e/in! with a 'i!t o" Vei$ wor! $a''e the Ni/hant%. Here i! a %ote"ro* theNir%kta4

@A traitiona' 'i!t ,o" wor!- ha! (een hane o+er ,to %!-. It i! to (e,here-e2#'aine. Thi! !a*e 'i!t i! $a''e Ni6/hanta+a!. Fro* what ,root- i! ,the

wor-Ni/hanta+a! eri+e5 The& are wor! %ote "ro* the Vea! ,ni6/a*ah-. Ha+in/

(een re#eate'& /athere to/ether "ro* Vei$ h&*n!3 the& ha+e (eenhane own

(& traition.@ ,Nir%kta.1.1-

The Nir%kta a'!o $ontain! a ire$t re"eren$e to the a#a%r%!he&at+a o"the Vea!.It *ention! the Vea! a! ha+in/ (ein/ !een ,thro%/h ire$t in!i/ht- annot a!!o*ethin/ that wa! $reate or a%thore4

@The *eanin/ o" !#ee$h i! $a''e it! "r%it or "'ower. Seer! ha ire$tin!i/htinto %t&. The& (& ora' traition hane own the Vei$ h&*n! to 'ater/eneration! who were e!tit%te o" ire$t in!i/ht. The 'ater /eneration!3e$'inin/ in #ower o" !#ee$h3 $o*#i'e thi! work3 the Vea3 an thea%2i'iar&

Vei$ treati!e!3 in orer to $o*#rehen their *eanin/.@ ,Nir%kta.1.7J-

Th%!3 the iea o" the Vea! (ein/ a#a%r%!he&a i! !o*ethin/ that i!$ontaine inthe *o!t (a!i$ an #ri*ar& !eat! o" traitiona' 'earnin/.

. E8TENSIVENESS OF THE TRADITION

In thi! !e$tion3 we !ha'' $on!ier the e2tent to whi$h the iea o"a#a%r%!he&at+a o" the Vea! ha #er+ae into the $%'t%re in whi$h thetraition


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wa! e2i!tent an in whi$h it !ti'' e2i!t! toa& e+en tho%/h it! 'i/ht *a&nowha+e i**e in the /atherin/ /'oo* o" the ark a/e o" =a'i. 9e !ha''!ee thatthe #er+a!i+ene!! o" the iea o" a#a%r%!he&at+a o" the Vea! e2ten! toa'' the!i2 traitiona' !$hoo'! !tartin/ "ro* their ori/ina' te2t! the*!e'+e!. It i!i*#ortant to !how thi! (e$a%!e o" the *i!(e/otten iea i*#'ante (&*oerne%$ation into the *in! o" #eo#'e that the $on$e#t o" a#a%r%!he&at+a i!anarti"a$t o" !o*e 'ater a%thor:! $ontri+an$e. 9e !ha'' a'!o !how that the#er+a!i+ene!! o" the iea o" a#a%r%!he&at+a wa! not re!tri$te to on'&thetraitiona' #hi'o!o#hie! (%t that it e2tene to other (ran$he! o"'earnin/ too.

9ith re/ar! to the traitiona' #hi'o!o#hie!3 we !ha'' $on!ier the* in#air!!in$e the !i2 !$hoo'! ha+e traitiona''& (een /ro%#e to/ether into three#air!a! "o''ow!4

P%r+a K Uttara )i*a*!aSa*kh&a K Yo/aN&a&a K Vai!e!ika

i- PURVA )I)A)SA UTTARA )I)A)SA

I o not (e'ie+e it i! ne$e!!ar& to #ro%$e e+ien$e that P%r+a )i*a*!aanUttara )i*a*!a ho' the Vea! to (e a#a%r%!he&a (e$a%!e thi! entire!erie! i!

(a!e on the o$trine! o" the!e !$hoo'!3 (%t "or the !ake o"$o*#'etene!!3 we

wi'' #ro%$e the re'e+ant %ote! "ro* the two !$ri#t%re!. It nee! to (e*entione that )i*a*!aka! ho'! a'' wor! to (e eterna' an that

Vei$ wor!eri+e their !#e$ia' !i/ni"i$an$e o" (ein/ a#a%r%!he&a %e to a $ertain$hara$ter o" the Vea!. In P%r+a )i*a*!a3 thi! !#e$ia' $hara$ter i! the!#e$ia'!i/ni"i$ation o" the *eanin/! o" it! !enten$e! whi$h it $a''! the :"or$e o"


13/41

thete2t:. It i! (a!e on an onto'o/& that i! +er& !%(t'e an whi$h3 a$$orin/to*e3 i! to (e "o%n in A+aita a! we''. In the 9e!t3 ,tra$e! o"- thi! kin o"onto'o/& *a& (e "o%n in the #hi'o!o#hie! o" Par*enie! an So$rate!.In an&$a!e3 *& #%r#o!e here i! not to e(ate on #hi'o!o#hi$a' o$trine! (%t to#ro%$ee+ien$e that (oth !$hoo'! o" )i*a*!a $ontain the #rin$i#'e o"a#a%r%!he&at+a o"the Vea!. So3 here are the re'e+ant %ote!4

Fro* ai*ini P%r+a )i*a*!a S%tra!4

S%tra 1.4 @Certain'& there i! eterna' $onne$tion (etween the wor anit!*eanin/ it! know'e/e i! ne+er erroneo%! in *atter! in+i!i('e it i!a%thoritati+e in the o#inion o" 0aara&ana (& rea!on o" it not e#enin/onother!.@

S%tra 1.7M4 @An the one #art& ho'! that the Vea! are *oern3 (ein/$a''ea"ter h%*an na*e!.@0ha!h&a to 1.7M4 @The o(e$tor !a&! that I a$$e#t that a wor i! eterna''&re'ate to it! !en!e an "%rther a*it! that when #%t into a !enten$e it$on+e&!a !en!e (%t where i! the a%thorit& o" the Vea!5 The& are o" h%*anori/in (ein/$a''e a"ter h%*an na*e! !%$h a!@

S%tra 1.74 @On the other han the #riorit& o" the wor i! a'rea& !#okeno". @0ha!h&a to 1.74 @The #%r+a6#ak!ha:! o(e$tion that !in$e $ertain na*e!o" h%*an

(ein/! are *entione in the Vea!3 !o the Vea! are h%*an #ro%$t!3 i!now (ein/re(%tte. The eterna'it& o" wor ha! a'rea& (een e!ta('i!he..There"ore theo(e$tion that the Vea! ha+e a h%*an ori/in i! /ro%n'e!!.@

%tra 1.;J4 @The na*e i! on a$$o%nt o" the #er!on! e2#'ainin/ the*.@0ha!h&a to 1.;J4 @The& are $a''e a"ter h%*an na*e! (e$a%!e tho!e


14/41

#er!on! arethe "ir!t to e2#o%n the* ,in the *ani"e!t wor'- an !o the i""erent#art! o"the Vea! are $a''e a"ter tho!e !a/e! in their hono%r.@

S%tra 1.;14 @0%t the Vei$ wor! are %!e in a /enera' !en!e on'&.@0ha!h&a to 1.;14 @The na*e! o" #er!on! %!e in the Vea! are $o**onno%n! annot #ro#er no%n!. The #er!on! (ore the na*e! !%(!e%ent'& ,in the$&$'e! o"$reation-. So thi! ar/%*ent o" the o(e$tor oe! not etra$t "ro* theeterna'it&o" the Vea!.@

Now3 the %ote! "ro* the Veanta S%tra!4

S%tra 1.74 @I" it (e o(e$te that thi! $ontrai$t! the +a'iit& o" Vei$wor!3 then not !o3 "or the %ni+er!e ari!e! "ro* thi! ,i.e. "ro* Vei$wor!-3whi$h "a$t i! #ro+e (& ire$t re+e'ation an in"eren$e.@

S%tra 1.74 @An "ro* thi! +er& "a$t "o''ow! the eterna'it& o" the Vea!.@

S%tra 1.;J4 @An there i! no $ontrai$tion3 !in$e !i*i'ar na*e! an"or*! arere#eate e+en in the re+o'%tion o" the wor' $&$'e!3 a! i! known "ro* the

Vea!an S*riti.@

ii- SAN=HYA YO?A

Sa*kh&a ar!hana too $on!ier! the Vea! to (e a#a%r%!he&a. A ire$tre"eren$eto it *a& (e "o%n in the "i"th S%tra o" the Sa*kh&a =arika a! e'%$iate

(& the(ha!h&a o" Va$ha!#ati )i!ra.

Sankh&a =arika ,S%tra! > K -4 @Per$e#tion3 In"eren$e an Ver(a'Te!ti*on& arethe *ean! o" know'e/e.... Per$e#tion i! the a!$ertain*ent o" ea$hre!#e$ti+eo(e$t (& the !en!e!. In"eren$e i! e$'are to (e o" three kin! an it i!


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#re$ee (& know'e/e o" the *i'e ter* ,'in/a- an *aor ter*,'in/i- whi'e

Ver(a' Te!ti*on& i! the !tate*ent o" tr%!tworth& #er!on! an theVea!.@E2tra$t "ro* Va$ha!#ati:! 0ha!h&a4 @Ver(a' te!ti*on& i! !e'"6a%thoritati+e3i.e.3 it i! a'wa&! ri/ht ina!*%$h a! it i! (ro%/ht a(o%t (& the wor! o" the

Vea! whi$h are not a%thore (& an& h%*an (ein/ an (e$a%!e it i!there"ore "ree"ro* a'' e"e$t! ,!%$h a! "a'!ehoo whi$h rener! wor! %nre'ia('e-. It i!"orthi! !a*e rea!on that the know'e/e eri+e "ro* !*rti3 itiha!a an#%rana i!a'!o re/are a! ri/ht (e$a%!e the& ha+e the Vea! a! their !o%r$e.@

It i! rea!ona('e to a!!%*e that the #o!ition o" Yo/a ar!hana i! the !a*ea!that o" Sa*kh&a (e$a%!e it "o''ow! a'' the (a!i$ tenet! o" Sa*kh&a. Theonei""eren$e (etween the* i! that whi'e Sa*kh&a i! !i'ent with re/ar toI!hwara3

Yo/a $on!ier! I!hwara to (e a !#e$ia' P%r%!ha e%i##e with the#ower! o"$reation3 !%!tenan$e an e!tr%$tion o" the %ni+er!e.

iii- NYAYA VAISESI=A

The e2#re!!ion :a#a%r%!he&at+a o" the Vea!: ha! a !'i/ht'& i""erent$onnotation in N&a&a6Vai!e!ika than in the other traitiona' ar!hana!.InN&a&a3 the ter* :a#a%r%!he&at+a: *ean! :ha+in/ no h%*an a%thor:. Itoe! notini$ate the !e$on %a'i"i$ation3 :eterna'it&:3 a! it oe! in )i*a*!a. 9e

wi''are!! the i""eren$e! (etween N&a&a an )i*a*!a 'ater in thi!arti$'e3 (%t "ornow it i! i*#ortant to rea'i


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a#a%r%!he&at+a o" the Vea! (a!e on the "a$t that N&a&a i!#%te! it!eterna'it&an the!e #eo#'e ha+e a tenen$& to o+er6e2ten the /ro%n #ro+ie (&N&a&a an*ake it a##ear that N&a&a $on!ier! the Vea! to (e a%thore in the!a*e wa& a!it $on!ier! other orinar& te2t! to ha+e (een a%thore. S%$h a$on$'%!ion i!not $orre$t an it nee! to (e re"%te. 9e wi'' there"ore #ro%$e a %ote"ro* ahi/h'& re/are N&a&a te2t3 the N&a&a =%!%*ana'i o" Ua&ana$har&a3to !how the$orre$t #o!ition o" N&a&a with re/ar to the Vea!. The $onte2t o" thei!$%!!ion in the %ote te2t i! :E2i!ten$e o" ?o:3 (%t it (rin/! o%t theN&a&a#o!ition on the !tat%! it /i+e! to the Vea!.

N&a&a =%!%*ana'i o" Ua&ana$har&aCha#ter II3 Prat&a&atah4

O(e$tion4 @The !e$on o(e$tion wa! that there i! no #roo" o" ?o3 !in$ethe*ean! o" attainin/ #arai!e $an (e #ra$ti$e ine#enent'& o" an& !%$h

(ein/.That i! to !a&3 !a$ri"i$e! whi$h are the in!tr%*ent! o" o(tainin/ #arai!e$an

(e #er"or*e e+en witho%t a ?o3 !in$e it i! #ro+e (& the Vea that!a$ri"i$e!are a *ean! o" o(tainin/ hea+en3 an the Vea #o!!e!!e! a%thorit& "ro*it!eterna'it& an "reeo* "ro* e"e$t!3 an we $an a'!o /ather it! a%thorit&"ro*it! ha+in/ (een a$$e#te (& /reat !aint! ,a! )an% an other!-3 anthere"ore &o%$annot e!ta('i!h the e2i!ten$e o" ?o3 on the /ro%n that he i! thea%thor o"the Vea or we *a& !%##o!e that the Vea wa! *ae (& !o*e Sa/e! 'ike=a#i'a another!3 who /aine o*ni!$ien$e (& their #ree*inen$e in $on$entratee+otion.@

Ua&ana4 @Sin$e ri/ht know'e/e re%ire! an e2terna' !o%r$e3 !in$e$reation an


17/41

e!tr%$tion take #'a$e3 an !in$e none other than He $an (e re'ie on3 6therei! no other wa& o#en.@

0ha!h&a4 @The ri/ht know'e/e $a%!e (& te!ti*on& i! one whi$h i!#ro%$e (& a%a'it& in the !#eaker3 +i


18/41

The "o%r U#an/a! are Dhar*a Sha!tra3 N&a&a3 )i*a*!a an P%rana.In thetraitiona' !$he*e o" the +i&a!thana!3 P%r+a )i*a*!a an Veantaare in$'%ein the $ate/or& o" :)i*a*!a: an the other "o%r ar!hana! 6 Sa*kh&a3

Yo/a3 N&a&aan Vai!e!ika are in$'%e in the $ate/or& o" N&a&a. Now we !ha''!how thatthe iea o" a#a%r%!he&at+a o" the Vea! e2i!t! in the other two U#an/a!,P%ranaan Dhar*a Sha!tra- too.

Now3 a! re/ar! the P%rana!3 there are ei/hteen *aor #%rana! an a!*an&!%(!iiar& #%rana!. An&one who ha! rea the #%rana! wo%' know thatthe a$$o%nt!o" $reation /i+en therein *ention that 0rah*a $reate! the %ni+er!ethro%/h ta#ahon the Vei$ wor! !howin/ that the Vea ,or Vei$ wor!- #reate!$reation. It

wi'' not (e "ea!i('e "or *e to %ote "ro* a'' the!e i+er!e #%rana! here3!o i!ha'' re!tri$t *&!e'" to one %ote "ro* the 0ha/a+ata P%rana whereinLor Vi!hn%re"er! to 0rah*a3 the $reator3 a! the one who ho'! the Vea! 'atent inhi*4

@The Lor !ai4 O 0rah*a who ho'! the Vea! 'atent in &o% I a*hi/h'& #'ea!e

(& &o%r 'on/ an $on$entrate *eitation "or en'i/hten*ent on thework o"$reation. ,0h.Ch..1-@

A'!o3 Sri Shankara$har&a in 0S0.I.iii.;J %ote! Vea V&a!a "ro* one o"hi!!*riti!4 @In a&! o" &ore3 the /reat ri!hi! re$ei+e thro%/h a%!teritie!3

withthe #er*i!!ion o" the !e'"6(orn One3 the Vea3 to/ether with theane$ote!3 thatha re*aine withrawn %rin/ i!!o'%tion.@

9e ha+e !hown that the iea o" a#a%r%!he&at+a o" the Vea! e2i!t! in


19/41

three o"the U#an/a!3 i.e.3 )i*a*!a3 N&a&a an P%rana. Now3 we wi'' !how thatit e2i!t!in the "o%rth3 the har*a !ha!tra3 too. The $'a!! o" te2t! known a! theDhar*aSha!tra i! S*riti. Tho%/h the wor :S*riti: i! o"ten %!e to re"er to a

(roa$'a!! o" 'iterat%re in$'%in/ the P%rana! an Itiha!a!3 it !tri$t'& re"er! tothe Dhar*a Sha!tra a'one. In (oth the )an% S*riti an the Yana+a'k&aS*riti3 itha! (een !ai4

@0& the Sr%ti i! *eant the Vea3 an (& S*riti the Dhar*a Sha!tra!4the!e two*%!t not (e $a''e into %e!tion in an& *atter3 !in$e "ro* the!e two the!a$re'aw !hone "orth.@ ,)S.II.1J-

The Yana+a'k&a S*riti *ention! the #ri*ar& 'i!t o" a%thoritati+eDhar*aSha!tra! a! "o''ow!4

@)an%3 Atri3 Vi!n%3 Harita3 Yana+a'k&a3 U!ana!3 An/ira!3 Ya*a3A#a!ta*(a3Sa*+arta3 =at&a&ana3 0riha!#ati. Para!ara3 V&a!a3 Sankha3 Likhita3Dak!ha3?a%ta*a3 Sata#ata3 an Va!hi!hta are the #ro*%'/ator! o" Dhar*aSha!tra.@,YS.I.i.> K 1.i.-

O" a'' the Dhar*a Sha!tra!3 the one /i+en (& )an% i! the "ir!t an *o!ta%thoritati+e3 /i+en to *ankin in the awn o" $reation3 an it i! the one

whi$ha'' the other! har*a !ha!tra! "o''ow. The )an% S*riti re"er! to the

Vea a! the:eterna' Vea: an a'!o *ention! that the na*e! o" $reate (ein/! werea!!i/nea$$orin/ to the wor! o" the ,eterna'- Vea.

@He3 the Lor3 a'!o $reate the $'a!! o" the /o!3 who are enowe with'i"e3an who!e nat%re i! a$tion an the !%(ti'e $'a!! o" the Sah&a!3 an theeterna' !a$ri"i$e. 0%t "ro* "ire3 win3 an the !%n he rew "orth thethree"o'


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ETERNAL VEDA3 $a''e Rik3 Ya%!3 an Sa*an3 "or the %e#er"or*an$e o" the!a$ri"i$e.@ ,)S.I.77 K 1.7;-

@0%t in the (e/innin/ he a!!i/ne their !e+era' na*e!3 a$tion!3 an$onition!to a'' ,$reate (ein/!-3 e+en a$$orin/ to the wor! o" the Vea!.@,)S.I.71-

9hi'e it $an (e !hown that the iea o" a#a%r%!he&at+a o" the Vea! ha!#er$o'ate to other kin! o" 'iterat%re an #oetr& too3 I think thee+ien$e#ro%$e here "ro* i+er!e traitiona' (ran$he! o" 'earnin/ i! !%""i$ientto!how that the iea ha #er*eate into the entire "a(ri$ o" Vei$ $%'t%re.Thi!#heno*enon !ho%' ha+e (een $o**on know'e/e %! to at 'ea!ttho!e o" %! whoare (orn in thi! $%'t%re 6 (%t %n"ort%nate'& *oern e%$ation an the

+a'%e! itha! (e%eathe to %! !ee*! to ha+e !e+ere %! "ro* o%r root!. The#ro('e* ha!

(e$o*e *ore a$%te toa& (e$a%!e3 *ore o"ten than not3 we 'et o%r%/*ent! /etin the wa& o" "or*in/ a $o*#'ete #i$t%re o" o%r an$ient traition. Inorer toknow what thi! traition i!3 we nee to %n$o+er the +ario%! e'e*ent! o"thetraition an "it the* to/ether !o that the& $oa'e!$e into a *eanin/"%'!tr%$t%re3 or $%'t%ra' !$he*a3 a! it ha e2i!te when it wa! "'o%ri!hin/

with+i/or an e'an. 0%t i" we are #rone to *ake %/*ent! at ea$h !te#re/arin/ the

+era$it& an +a'%e o" ea$h e'e*ent o" the $%'t%re3 how wo%' we e+er (ea('e to"or* a #i$t%re o" the $%'t%re or the traition5 In orer to re$o+er the!$he*ao" a $%'t%re3 or traition3 we nee to ho' o%r %/*ent! in !%!#en!ion

(e$a%!ethe ai* o" the e2er$i!e i! to "or* a #i$t%re o" the $%'t%re an not to

%/ewhether the $%'t%re i! /oo or (a or (a!e on *&th! or (a!e on tr%th!or


21/41

whether it! #ra$ti$e! were a(horrent or $'a!!6i!$ri*inati+e or/ener6i!$ri*inati+e an !%$h other thin/!. The %/*ent nee! to$o*e in arationa' *anner 6 on'& a"ter the i/!aw #%


22/41

'earnin/ to #rono%n$e the Vea! "or 1J &ear! or 1 &ear! to #rote$t it!#%rit&5

An we are not !#eakin/ here o" a !*a'' !e/*ent o" !o$iet&3 (%t o" a'ar/e!e$tion o" the #o#%'ation !tret$hin/ "ro* ?anhara in the 9e!t to0rah*ae!ha inthe Ea!t3 "ro* the Hi*a'a&a! in the North to =an&ak%*ari in the So%th.

9e arenot !#eakin/ o" one #arti$%'ar era in the 'i"e o" a $i+i'i


23/41

e""e$t inthe $a%!e- whi'e N&a&a i! (a!e on a!atkar&a+aa ,on the #rior non6e2i!ten$e o"the e""e$t-. In orer to a##re$iate the nat%re o" thi! i""eren$e3 we wo%'neeto $on!ier three "a$tor!4

a- The "a$t that (oth are Vei$ #hi'o!o#hie! he' in hi/h e!tee* (& thetraition

(- The ro'e! o" ea$h o" the!e #hi'o!o#h& in the Vei$ traition$- The nat%re o" Onto'o/& in ea$h #hi'o!o#h& in a$$oran$e with theirre!#e$ti+ero'e!

I $an i*a/ine how i" a !t%ent o" #hi'o!o#h& "ro* one o" o%r$onte*#orar&a$ae*ie! were to rea the!e #oint!3 he wo%' #erha#! rai!e an e&e(rowan a!k4@9hat ro'e5 Do &o% *ean to !a& that the!e two #hi'o!o#hie! ha ro'e!5

An whoa!!i/ne the* their ro'e!3 #ra&5 I!n:t thi! !tret$hin/ thin/! a (it too"ar5@

It i!n:t. The!e two #hi'o!o#hie! ha+e !#e$i"i$ ro'e! in the !$he*e o" the%ni+er!e e!#ite what o%r "rien! "ro* $onte*#orar& a$ae*ie! *a&!a&. I" we areto %ner!tan Vei$ $%'t%re3 we wo%' o we'' to a+oi (ein/ a#o'o/i!t!or to'ook "or a##ro+a'! "ro* the a$ae*ie!. O%r ta!k i! to (e tr%e to the

Vei$traition e!#ite what the a$ae*& *a& ha+e to !a& on the *atter. Thetwo#hi'o!o#hie!3 N&a&a an )i*a*!a3 ha+e ro'e! to #'a& an their ro'e!$o*e "ro*the Di+ine 0'%e#rint o" the Uni+er!e $ontaine in the Vea!. Inee3 a''thetraitiona' +i&a! in$'%in/ the "o%rteen +i&a! re'ate to har*aknown a!Chat%ra!a a! we'' a! other traitiona' +i&a! !%$h a! a&%r+ea ,hea'th!$ien$e-3 han%r+i&a ,!$ien$e o" war"are-3 artha !ha!tra ,!$ien$e o"#o'iti$!-3ka*a !ha!tra ,!$ien$e o" eroti$!-3 /anhar+a !ha!tra ,the art!-3 et$ area''


24/41

Vei$ +i&a! with !#e$i"i$ ro'e! to $ater to !#e$i"i$ /oa'! in the !$he*e o"the

wor'.

N&a&a an )i*a*!a are not !i*#'& two #hi'o!o#hie! tho%/ht %# (& two#hi'o!o#her!$a''e ?a%ta*a an 0aara&ana. 9e $annot %ner!tan the nat%re! o"the!e#hi'o!o#hie! (& 'ookin/ at the* thro%/h the kin o" hi!tor&6writin/ that

(e/anwith Heroot%!3 an whi$h ha "or it! ai* the e!$ri(in/ o" h%*anhi!tor& in#%re'& h%*an ter*! ,whi$h i! a e%#he*i!* "or :*ateria'i!ti$ ter*!:-.Thee2i!ten$e o" the h%*an i! not entire'& h%*an there i! a Di+init& !hinin/in theh%*an an thi! Di+init& #arti$i#ate! in h%*an a$ti+it&. So3 a hi!tor&to' in#%re'& h%*an ter*! i! a !he'' *ere'& whi$h re*ain! ('in to the kerne'that#%'!ate! with the thro( o" Di+ine6h%*an #arti$i#ation. N&a&a an)i*a*!a are not!i*#'& two #hi'o!o#hie! tho%/ht %# (& two #hi'o!o#her! in the $o%r!e o"h%*anhi!tor&. The& are (oth eterna' #hi'o!o#hie! an the !a/e! ?a%ta*a an0aara&ana/a+e the* to the wor' in a$$oran$e with their ro'e! a! the $o*#'ier! o"the!etwo ti*e'e!! ar!hana!.

In thi! re/ar3 Sri S%re!hwara$har&a3 the i!$i#'e o" Sri Shankara$har&a3!a&!a(o%t N&a&a6Vai!e!ika3 Sa*kh&a3 Veanta an Sai+a Sihanta in the)ana!a''o!a4

@A'' the!e a'ternate +iew! e2i!te3 (e"ore $reation3 in the At*an3 a! the!#ro%tin the !ee. The& were i!#'a&e (& the #ower o" )a&a $o*#ri!in/ i$hha,wi''-3

nana ,know'e/e- an kri&a ,a$tion- o" I!h+ara.@ ,)ana!o''o!a3II.>;-

I !ha'' %ote "ro* a N&a&a te2t it!e'" to !how that the N&a&a&ika! tooho' !%$h


25/41

a +iew4

@9e''3 ,(e"ore ?a%ta*a- (& whi$h !&!te* wa! the a%thorit& o" the Vea!e!ta('i!he5 9ho e2#'aine the *eanin/! o" the Vea (e"ore ai*ini5

9ho eri+ethe wor (e"ore Panini5 9ho $o*#o!e the *eter! (e"ore Pin/a'a5Sin$e the +er&$reation o" thi! wor' the!e +i&a! are a'!o there 'ike the Vea! on'&

when wewant to re"er to the $o''e$tion or a(ri/*ent an e'a(oration3 tho!e$o''e$tor!an e'a(orator! are $a''e a! $o*#o!er!.@ ,N&a&a*anari o" a&anta0hatta-.

An what are the ro'e! o" )i*a*!a an N&a&a in the !$he*a o" Vei$know'e/e5 I!ha'' %ote a/ain "ro* the N&a&a*anari3 (%t (e"ore I o !o3 a "ew wor!o"intro%$tion to the N&a&a*anari o" a&anta 0hatta *a& (e a##ro#riate.@a&anta0hatta o$$%#ie! a %ni%e #o!ition in the hi!tor& o" Inian Phi'o!o#h& in/enera'an Pra$ina N&a&a in #arti$%'ar. The N&a&a*anari i! an en$&$'o#aei$

work o"Pra$ina N&a&a. 9hi'e writin/ the (ook3 a&anta ha! taken into a$$o%nta'' there'e+ant +iew! o" a'*o!t a'' the !&!te*! o" Inian Phi'o!o#h& #re+a'entat thi!ti*e. He ha! #re!ente the +iew! o" hi! o##onent! !o e'a(orate'& an$'ear'&that !o*eti*e! it i! ea!ier to %ner!tan the o##o!ition "ro* a&anta:!N&a&a*anari than "ro* the ori/ina' te2t! the*!e'+e!.@ I ha+e %otea'*o!t

+er(ati* "ro* the intro%$tion to the tran!'ation o" N&a&a*anari.Now3 thi! i!how N&a&a*anari e2#'ain! the ro'e! o" )i*a*!a an N&a&a4

@A! witho%t en%ir& it i! i*#o!!i('e to eter*ine the *eanin/ o" the,a##arent'&- %n$o/ent Vei$ !enten$e!3 the )i*a*!a6!ha!tra whi$hi!$%!!e! the*eanin/ o" the Vei$ !enten$e! "%n$tion! a! the #art ,a%2i'iar&- o" the*ine o"the Vea! an there"ore it ha! the !tat%! o" a +i&a!thana. So !a&!


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=%*ari'a0hatta.@

@9hen har*a i! (ein/ known (& *ean! o" Vea3 the itikarta+&ata#ortion wi'' (e$o+ere (& )i*a*!a6!ha!tra. There"ore3 )i*a*!a i! not taken a! the!e+enth

Vean/a (e$a%!e it i! #art o" the Vea a! it i! +er& $'o!e to the Vea!.Vei$wor! when a$$o*#anie (& $riti$a' i!$%!!ion are $a#a('e o"e2#re!!in/ theirown ine#enent *eanin/. The N&a&a6!ha!tra on the other han3 i! the*ain #i''aro" a'' the !&!te*! (e$a%!e it i! the *ean! to e!ta('i!h the a%thorit& o" the

Vea!.@@Now3 i" the #%r#o!e o" N&a&a6!ha!tra i! the e!ta('i!h*ent o" thea%thorit& o"the Vea!3 then !in$e )i*a*!a a'rea& !er+e! that #%r#o!e there wo%'

(e no nee"or !%$h a !&!te* a! N&a&a6!ha!tra. In )i*a*!a3 a! the *eanin/! o" the

Vei$!enten$e! are i!$%!!e3 !o a'!o the a%thorit& o" the Vea! i! i!$%!!e.@

@Tr%e (%t that i!$%!!ion o" the a%thorit& o" the Vea! i! a !%(orinateone.The i!$%!!ion o" the *eanin/ o" the Vei$ !enten$e! i! the *ain o(e$to")i*a*!a. The!e two +i&a!3 i.e.3 )i*a*!a an N&a&a3 ha+e i""erent"%n$tion!.)i*a*!a i! known a! Vakh&artha+i&a ,i.e.3 it ea'! with the *eanin/!o" Vei$!enten$e!- (%t not a! Pra*ana+i&a ,whi$h ea'! with the *ean! o"

+a'iknow'e/e-.@

So3 N&a&a an )i*a*!a are two eterna' Vei$ #hi'o!o#hie! with two!#e$i"i$ ro'e!or "%n$tion!. It i! on'& (& %ner!tanin/ thi! nat%re o" i""eren$e that we$an/ra!# the i""eren$e (etween N&a&a an )i*a*!a with re!#e$t to theeterna'it& o"the Vea!. )i*a*!a i! Vei$ Vakh&artha+i&a an it! o(e$t i!0rah*an an the


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Eterna' Law that e2i!t! in the Nat%re o" 0rah*an. It! !#e$i"i$ ai* i! there+e'ation o" Vei$ !enten$e!. N&a&a i! #ra*ana6+i&a (a!e on nor*a''an/%a/ean it! ai* i! to re+ea' the nat%re o" the #ra*ana! an the nat%re o"

wor6*eanin/! in a$$oran$e with the!e #ra*ana!.

In orinar& 'an/%a/e3 the ter* :e2i!ten$e: i! a #rei$ate o" an o(e$t a! iteri+e! "ro* it! *ani"e!tation. The *ani"e!tation o" an o(e$t i! a'wa&!o" it,the o(e$t- a! a !%(!tan$e. I" the o(e$t oe! not ha+e !%(!tantia'it&3 ween&that the *ani"e!t thin/ i! that #arti$%'ar o(e$t $a''e (& !%$h an !%$hna*e.For e2a*#'e3 we !a& that the :water: in a *ira/e i! not rea''& water

(e$a%!e it'a$k! !%(!tantia'it&. There"ore we !a& that no water e2i!t! there.

9herea! when!ee water in a 'ake3 we !a& that it i! water an that it ha! !%(!tantia'it&.The!#e$ia' *ark o" !%(!tan$e ,ra+&a- i! :e2i!ten$e: an in !#ee$h thi!e2i!ten$e

(e$o*e! a #rei$ate o" the o(e$t3 a! in the !enten$e :The 'ot%! e2i!t!:.9henan o(e$t i! not *ani"e!t a! a !%(!tan$e3 it ha! no e2i!ten$e. So3 #rior toathin/:! *ani"e!tation a! a !%(!tan$e3 the thin/ i! not !ai to ha+e an&e2i!ten$e. Thi! i! the nat%ra' wa& in whi$h 'an/%a/e e+o$ate!#heno*ena a! #erthe nat%re o" 'an/%a/e it!e'". In 9e!tern Phi'o!o#h&3 it i! $a''e the:Onto'o/&o" Pre!en$e:3 (%t it wo%' (e (e!t to a+oi a $o*#ari!on with 9e!ternPhi'o!o#h&

(e$a%!e in re$ent ti*e! *an& re'ate $on$e#t! ,!%$h a! %ni+er!a'! an#arti$%'ar!- ha+e /ot !o *%'e %# that a $o*#ari!on wo%'n:t !er+ean& %!e"%'#%r#o!e.

)i*a*!a oe! not "o''ow the onto'o/& o" #re!en$e. 9hi'e not en&in/the#rei$ation o" e2i!ten$e to o(e$t!3 it $on!ier! !%$h #rei$ation a! on'&a*oe o" e2i!ten$e an not a! e2i!ten$e it!e'". The a%thorit& "or !%$h anotion


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o" e2i!ten$e $o*e! "ro* the Vei$ !enten$e! o" whi$h )i*a*!a i! theinter#reti+e"ra*ework. It i! (a!e on 0rah*an an the re'ation that !tan! (etweenthe wor'an 0rah*an a! re+ea'e (& the Vea!. In thi! +i!ion o" 0rah*an3 thenotion o"e2i!ten$e tran!$en! the orinar& notion /i+en (& orinar& 'an/%a/e.That i!3!in$e 0rah*an i! the *ateria' $a%!e o" the wor'3 a'' o(e$t! in the wor'#re6e2i!t in 0rah*an. Hen$e3 on the a%thorit& o" Vei$ !enten$e!3e2i!ten$e i!not a *ere #rei$ate o" *ani"e!tation o" o(e$t!3 (%t i! one *oe o" it!e2i!ten$e a! it eterna''& #re6e2i!t! in 0rah*an.

Th%!3 (& the +er& nat%re! o" the two $ate/orie! o" 'an/%a/e3 Vei$'an/%a/e anorinar& ,'a%kika- 'an/%a/e3 the ter*! :e2i!ten$e: take i""erent*eanin/!.There"ore3 )i*a*!a an N&a&a3 (ein/ (a!e on Vei$ an orinar&'an/%a/e!re!#e$ti+e'&3 !tan in !%$h re'ation to ea$h other that there i! a nat%ra'o##o!ition (etween the* a! /i+en (& Vei$ 'an/%a/e an orinar&'an/%a/e. So3

when two #hi'o!o#her! (e'on/in/ to )i*a*!a an N&a&a "i/ht withea$h other3 theo##o!ition i! not ne$e!!ari'& a "i/ht (etween the* their +aa i! anena$t*ento" the o##o!ition that !tan! (etween the two eterna' #hi'o!o#hie!. The!a/e?a%ta*a wa! a 0rah*a6nani he i not write the N&a&a S%tra!

(e$a%!e he tho%/htit wa! the %'ti*ate tr%th he $o*#i'e N&a&a S%tra! (e$a%!e it wa! hi!ro'e inthe !$he*e o" $reation to $o*#i'e the*. S%$h i! the Vei$ +iew.

Now3 in $on!ieration o" thi! i""eren$e in the *eanin/ o" the ter*:e2i!ten$e:3

we wo%' (e a('e to %ner!tan the i""eren$e (etween )i*a*!a anN&a&a withre!#e$t to the eterna'it& or non6eterna'it& o" wor!. In N&a&a3 a wor i!non6eterna' (e$a%!e it i! !een to ha+e a (e/innin/ an en3 i.e. it i!hear nowan it wa! not !o hear (e"ore it wa! !#oken an 'ikewi!e3 the !#ee$h


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!%(!ie!an i! hear no *ore. So3 it ha! no #rior e2i!ten$e3 nor #o!teriore2i!ten$e3 toit! *ani"e!tation. In )i*a*!a3 the wor i! eterna' (e$a%!e it e2i!t! ani! on'&*ae *ani"e!t %rin/ !#ee$h. I !ha'' not /o into the ar/%*ent! here

(e$a%!e iti! not neee "or o%r #%r#o!e. The re'e+ant #oint here i! to !eek o%t the"a$torthat !&nthe!i


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who /o(& )i*a*!a3 wo%' not on'& !a& that the Vea! are eterna' (%t wo%'a'!o !a&that we are !&*#atheti$ to N&a&a an we %ner!tan wh& N&a&a3 (& the

+er& nat%reo" it! ar!hana3 (o%n a! it i! (& orinar& 'an/%a/e3 ha! to !a& that the

Vea!are non6eterna' an !o3 (& the "a$t that N&a&a ha! to !a& !o e+en "or theeterna' Vea (& +irt%e o" it! *ani"e!tation an non6*ani"e!tation3 itoe! notin an& wa& etra$t "ro* o%r !ihanta that the Vea! are eterna'. Th%!3

what wa!to ha+e (een !hown ha! (een !hown. Now we !ha'' *o+e on to the,*%nane- #roo"o" A#a%r%!he&at+a o" the Vea!.

. THE TRADITIONAL PROOF

9hen we !tarte thi! e'%$iation o" the traitiona' #roo" o"a#a%r%!he&at+a o"the Vea!3 we !ai that the !tren/th o" the traitiona' #roo" $an (e !eenon'&

when we %ner!tan the terrain o" hi!tor& in whi$h the Vea! wa! on$ethe hearto" a 'i+in/ traition. A traition i! not a ea thin/ it i! a 'i+in/#heno*enon that $arrie! with it a hi!tori$a' $on!$io%!ne!!. Ea$h !tranthat weha+e !#oken a(o%t !o "ar "in! it! #'a$e in thi! hi!tori$a' $on!$io%!ne!!an it/i+e! to the traition a (o& in whi$h the +ario%! !tran! are 'ike theor/an!o" the (o& that *ake it "%n$tion in a $oorinate wa&. It i! i*#ortantthatthe (o& a'on/ with it! +ario%! or/an! !ho%' (e $on!iere "or thetraitiona'#roo" to *ake !en!e to %! toa&. That i! wh& thi! rather 'on/ e2$%r!ioninto o%r#a!t an a !%r+e& o" it! 'iterat%re wa! %nertaken here.

The traitiona' #roo" e#en! on the in$ontro+erti(i'it& o" the(e/innin/'e!!


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traition (e$a%!e the (e/innin/'e!! traition i! the !%(!trat%* "or thethin/,a%thor!hi#- ha+in/ the $a#a$it& to (e a##rehene in the !%(!trat%*,the

(e/innin/'e!! traition- i" it !ho%' e2i!t. )ore o"ten than not3 the!tren/tho" the traitiona' #roo" "ai'! to (e !een (e$a%!e we are wont to en& the

(e/innin/'e!! traition it!e'" %e to the #re!en$e o" !o*e *i!/%ieiea! ino%r *in!. There"ore3 we !ha'' "ir!t e!ta('i!h the in$ontro+erti(i'it& o"the

(e/innin/'e!! traition (a!e on the "a$t! that we ha+e #re!ente a(o+ean then!how how it "it! into the (o& o" the "or*a' #roo" o""ere (& thetraition toe*on!trate the a#a%r%!he&at+a o" the Vea!.

i- COHERENCY AND THE ONUS OF PROOF

It ha! (een !hown that there e2i!t! an %n(roken traition $on!i!tin/ o" a'on/'ine o" tea$her! an !t%ent! who ha+e hane own the Vea! "ro* a

(e/innin/'e!! #a!t. It ha! (een !hown "%rther*ore that thi!(e/innin/'e!!traition i! $oherent with the $on$e#tion o" the Vea! a! ha+in/ (een!een annot a%thore3 whi$h a/ain i! $oherent with the "a$t that there e2i!t! ai!tin$tna*e "or the !eer! o" the Vei$ *antra! to i!tin/%i!h it "ro* the na*ethatenote! an a%thor. An the "a$t that there are *%'ti#'e ri!hi! "or the!a*e*antra!3 an "or the !a*e !%kta!3 "or*! a ti/ht'&6$o%#'e !&!te*e!ta('i!hin/the (e/innin/'e!!ne!! o" the traition. It ha! (een !hown *oreo+er thatthe ieao" a#a%r%!he&at+a o" the Vea! e2i!t! in a'' the (ran$he! o" traitiona''earnin/ !tartin/ "ro* the #ri*ar& !eat! o" 'earnin/ an e2tenin/ o+era'' the#hi'o!o#hi$a' !$hoo'! an other i+er!e (ran$he! o" 'earnin/3 that thi!iea wa!in!tit%te a'!o in the traitiona' "ie' o" h%*an a$tion3 an that a'' the!ee'e*ent! o" the traition !tret$he a$ro!! a +a!t /eo/ra#hi$a' !tret$h o"


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'anan #o!!e!!e a $ontin%it& o" e2i!ten$e "or whi$h no (e/innin/ i!a!!i/na('e.The entire traition "or*! a ti/ht'&6$o%#'e3 +a!t an $o*#'e23 $oherent!&!te*.There"ore3 on the /ro%n o" thi! $oheren$e3 the (e/innin/'e!! traition!tan!e!ta('i!he.

O(e$tion4 The $oheren$& o" a !&!te* $an (e r%#t%re (& a !in/'ee'e*ent that i!i!!onant with the $oheren$&. So3 how o &o% !a& that $oheren$&e!ta('i!he! the

(e/innin/'e!!ne!! o" the traition5

Re#'&4 Not !o3 "or when the e'e*ent i! o" the nat%re o" a $'ai*3 it i! the+era$it& o" the $'ai* that nee! to (e "ir!t a!$ertaine. 9hat i! thenat%re o"thi! !in/'e e'e*ent that &o% !#eak o"5 I! it a $'ai* o" there (ein/ ahi!tori$a'e+ent o" a #er!on $'ai*in/ to (e the a%thor o" the Vea!5 I" !o3 it i! the

+era$it& o" the $'ai* o" a !in/'e $'ai*ant an not the +era$it& o" the*an& thatnee! to (e %e!tione. )oreo+er3 thi! i! not a *atter o" $one$t%re!in$e thereha! (een no !%$h $'ai*ant that we know o". I" &o% !a& that thei!r%#tin/e'e*ent i! !o*ethin/ other than an hi!tori$a' e+ent3 then we !a& that

&o%ro(e$tion i! /ro%n'e!!. 9hen a thin/3 i.e.3 (e/innin/'e!!3 ha! (eena'rea&e!ta('i!he (& the e2i!ten$e o" the traition an (& the $oheren$& o" the

+ario%! e'e*ent! o" the traition3 i" &o% !ho%' $'ai* on an& other/ro%n thana hi!tori$a' "a$t that an e'e*ent o" the traition i! "a'!e3 then the on%! i!on

&o% to #ro+e how a'' the re*ainin/ e'e*ent! "a'' into #'a$e a! a $oherent!&!te*. For the!e e'e*ent! are $o/ni


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the#%rnana! are $o/ni


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in thi!wor' who i!a/ree with the the!i!. In thi! $a!e3 tho!e who i!a/ree wi''neeto #ro+ie #er$e#ti('e "a$t! to $o%nter the $oheren$& that e2i!t! in thetraition (& !howin/ the (e/innin/ o" the traition3 or !howin/ that the

wor:ri!hi: ha! a i""erent ori/in3 or !howin/ that there i! no e2i!ten$e o"tho!e!tate*ent! ho'in/ the Vea! to (e a#a%r%!he&a in the +ario%! te2t! that

we ha+e%ote "ro*. )oreo+er3 the traition ha! a'wa&! !too on *%'ti#'e#er!on!e#enent on an ine#enent !$ri#t%re ,Vea- %n'ike in the $a!e o"other!$ri#t%re! that ha+e ha h%*an ori/in! an were e#enent on thea%thor!.

9herea! in the $a!e o" the Vea!3 there ha! (een no #oint in ti*e whenthe!$ri#t%re ha! (een e#enent on a !in/'e #er!on. Thi! i! what Sri=%*ari'a0hatta #oint! o%t in the S'oka+artika4

@,9herea! a$$orin/ to %!- e+en in a !in/'e 'i"e the Vea i! "o%n tore!ie in,to (e known (&- *an& #er!on! an a! !%$h3 either it! re*e*(ran$e or$o*#rehen!ion oe! not /o a/ain!t it! ine#enen$e. For3 i" an& one#er!on wereto *ake an& $han/e! in the Vea3 o" hi! own a$$or3 he wo%' (eo##o!e (& *aner!on!. An a/ain3 i" the Vea were the o%t$o*e o" the *in o" a !in/'e#er!onthen it wo%' in no wa& i""er "ro* *oern $o*#o!ition!. For the !a*erea!on weo not a$know'e/e the a/en$& o" a !in/'e #er!on e+en in the $a!e o" thetraitiona' $o%r!e o" in!tr%$tion! ,in the Vea-. ,In +iew o" there (ein/*%'ti#'e ri!hi! "or the *antra!-3 the +er& "ir!t #er!on! ,who $o**en$ethi!traitiona' $o%r!e- *%!t ha+e (een3 *an&3 e#enent %#on one another3

%!t a! we"in to (e the $a!e at the #re!ent a&.@ ,S'oka+artika3 116>;3 1>611-

So3 "or tho!e who *a& ha+e i!a/ree with the traition in the #a!t3 the!a*e$onition that i! now a##'i$a('e to &o% ha! (een a##'i$a('e to the* a!


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we''4 theon%! o" #roo" o" a $ontrar& the!i! to e2#'ain the #er$e#ti('e an $oherent"a$t!ha! a'wa&! (een with the one who i!a/ree with the traition. An noone !o"ar ha! #ro+ie !%$h a $ontrar& #roo". So3 the (e/innin/'e!! o" thetraition!tan! e!ta('i!he a! it ha! !too "or a'' ti*e.

ii- THE LA9 OF PARSI)ONY

Now3 it ha+in/ (een !hown that the on%! o" #roo" i! on the one whoo##o!e! thetraition3 the #%r+a6#ak!ha $o*e! with a new o(e$tion4

O(e$tion4 The entire #heno*enon o" the e2i!ten$e o" the (e/innin/'e!!traition*i/ht ha+e ha a hi!tori$a' ori/in %rin/ the e+e'o#*ent o" h%*antho%/ht.

Re#'&4 Then the 'aw o" #ar!i*on& ,whi$h wa! "ir!t *entione (& the!a/e ?a%ta*aan not (& Okha*- wo%' e*an that we /o (& the traition than (&an& !%$hhi!tori$a' e2#'anation. For an& !%$h hi!tori$a' e2#'anation wo%'ne$e!!ari'&ha+e to "a'!i"& the +ario%! e'e*ent! that we ha+e #re!ente here an an&atte*#tto "a'!i"& the!e e'e*ent! on !%$h a 'ar/e !$a'e wo%' a*o%nt to !tatin/that thetraition i! a /ran $on!#ira$& $on$o$te (& !o*e #eo#'e who ha!o*ehow *ana/eto /et the!e e'e*ent! into the +ario%! te2t!3 that we ha+e *entione3 in a$on!#iratoria' *anner3 an *oreo+er *ana/e it on !%$h a 'ar/e !$a'ea! toi*#'ant the!e e'e*ent! a$ro!! a 'ar/e /eo/ra#hi$a' !tret$h o" 'an o+er a#erioo" ti*e !#annin/ into *an& era! or eon!. An it wo%' a'!o a*o%nt to!tatin/that the $on!#irator! !o*ehow in!tit%te3 a! #art o" the $on!#ira$&3 the%ni+er!a' #ra$ti$e o" 'earnin/ the $hantin/ o" the Vea! %ner the (e'ie"that


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it i! %na%thore an "a%'t'e!!. So3 the on%! i! a/ain on &o% to e2#'ain3 ina$rei('e *anner3 how !%$h a 'ar/e $on!#ira$& on !%$h a !$a'e wa!$on$ei+e3 on

who $on$ei+e it an what were their *oti+ation! in $on$ei+in/ it3 antheir!trate/ie! in a$$o*#'i!hin/ !o inh%*an a ta!k a! in$or#oratin/ thenotion in !o*an& i+er!e te2t! an in in!tit%tin/ #ra$ti$e! that no one %nerorinar&$ir$%*!tan$e! wo%' (e wi''in/ to ahere to. The entire #ro#o!ition i!enor*o%!'& $%*(er!o*e an "ar6"et$he an ha! no /ro%n to !tanon. Hen$e3 onthe /ro%n o" #ar!i*on&3 it i! $on$'%e that the traition !tan!e!ta('i!he.

O(e$tion4 I o not !a& that it i! a $on!#ira$& it *a& ha+e (een a kin o"ha''%$ination ari!in/ in the *in! o" the!e #eo#'e %e to !o*e #e$%'iar$onition o" the h%*an *in.

Re#'&4 9hether a thin/ i! a ha''%$ination or not i! eter*ine (& *ean!o" the#ra*ana! an not (& *ere a!!ertion!. The tr%th o" a !tate*ent a!!ertin/thenat%re o" a thin/ i! (o%n (& the nat%re o" the thin/ it!e'" (e$a%!e thetr%tho" a thin/ i! !i*#'& one that3 whi$h it i!. 9herea!3 the "ree "'i/ht o"i*a/ination3 whi$h i! not !o (o%n to the tr%th3 or to the nat%re o" thethin/3i! in"inite an *an&. So3 i" &o% !ho%' !a& that a'' the!e $oherente'e*ent! o"the traition are the #ro%$t! o" i*a/ination3 or ha''%$ination3 then3 theon%!i! a/ain on &o% to !how how the $oheren$& ha! $o*e a(o%t (e$a%!eha''%$inationi! not (o%n (& tr%th or (& an& #ra*ana an i! 'ike'& to (e +ario%! ani+er!e.0%t i" &o% !ho%' a$$e#t that $oheren$& i! a *ark o" tr%th3 then &o%

wo%' (e$orro(oratin/ what we ha+e (een !a&in/ a'' a'on/4 that the a$t%a'e2i!ten$e o" a

(e/innin/'e!! traition $o*(ine with the $oheren$& o" the +ario%!e'e*ent! in


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the traition #oint! to the (e/innin/'e!!ne!! o" the traition o" hanin/ownthe Vea! "ro* tea$her to !t%ent in a'' era! an in a'' $&$'e! o" $reation.

O(e$tion4 0%t the #ra*ana! the*!e'+e! *a& (e (a!e on *ere$onition! o" the

*in. So3 it i! !ti'' #o!!i('e that the #heno*enon $a''e :the traition: i!(a!e on ha''%$ination! o" the *in.

Re#'&4 Then (& that !a*e $riterion3 &o%r a!!ertion that the traition i!(a!eon a ha''%$ination i! a'!o 'ia('e to (e (a!e on a ha''%$ination. One whooe!not a$$e#t the #ra*ana! an !a&! that the& are (a!e on ha''%$inationha! no/ro%n to *ake an& kin o" a!!ertion what!oe+er in !o "ar a! the /ro%no"a!!ertion! o" tr%th ha! (een enie. There"ore3 &o%r !tate*ent a*o%nt!tonothin/ *ore than $hi'i!h #ratt'e or to the !tate*ent o" a *an who!#eak!

witho%t ha+in/ an& $%r( to hi! *o%th.

O(e$tion4 0%t !o o &o% when &o% !a& that !o*ethin/ i! (e/innin/'e!!or%n$reate "or no !%$h thin/ a! a (e/innin/'e!! or %n$reate thin/ i!known toe2i!t in thi! wor'.

Re#'&4 Yo%r $ontention that no !%$h thin/ i! known to e2i!t in thi! wor'i!

wron/. S#a$e i! known to (e (e/innin/'e!! an %n$reate an one oe!not ha+e to/o !eekin/ "or it! en to know that it ha! no en or that it i!

(e/innin/'e!!an %n$reate.

O(e$tion4 S#a$e i! not a thin/. S#a$e i! *ere'& the re'ation!hi#!(etweeno(e$t!.

Re#'&4 I" that (e &o%r $ontention3 i.e.3 that !#a$e i! not a thin/3 then were#'& to &o% in wor! !i*i'ar to tho!e %!e (& Sri Shankara$har&a whenre#'&in/


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to the 0a%ha!. I" !#a$e i! !ai to (e :no thin/:3 then when an o(e$te2i!t!there wo%' (e a(!en$e o" :no thin/: an hen$e a (ir that trie! to "'& in!#a$e

wo%'n:t (e a('e to "'& (e$a%!e there wo%' (e a(!en$e o" !#a$e3 i.e.3 o":nothin/:. An when &o% !a& that !#a$e i! *ere'& the re'ation!hi# (etweeno(e$t!3

&o% wo%' nee to "ir!t te'' %! how there *a& (e o(e$t! witho%t the*ha+in/e2ten!ion3 "or in the a(!en$e o" the "a*i'iar !#a$e that we a'' knowo(e$t!

wo%' $ea!e to ha+e e2ten!ion an wo%' $o''a#!e into a #oint an !oa'!o wo%'the !e#aration (etween o(e$t! !in$e the a(!en$e o" !#a$e (etween the*

wo%'entai' that there wo%' (e $on%n$tion (etween one o(e$t an another.Hen$e iti! #ro+e that the notion o" (e/innin/'e!!'e!! an %n$reatene!! i!!o*ethin/"a*i'iar to %! in the wor' !in$e !#a$e i! known to (e (e/innin/'e!! an%n$reate.

Th%!3 "ro* the "a$t that4

,i- there e2i!t! a traition o" the Vea! (ein/ hane own "ro*(e/innin/'e!!ti*e!,ii- the traition "or*! a ti/ht'& $o%#'e $oherent !&!te* in whi$h no!in/'ee'e*ent $an (e enie witho%t throwin/ the on%! o" #roo" on to theenier3 an,iii- an& a'ternate hothe!i! wo%' ha+e to (e ree$te on the (a!i! o"the 'awo" #ar!i*on&

it !tan! #ro+en an e!ta('i!he that there e2i!t! a $ontin%o%! an%n(roken

(e/innin/'e!! traition o" the Vea! (ein/ hane own "ro* tea$her to!t%entan that no a%thor ha! e+er (een #er$ei+e in the 'ine o" thi! traition.

iii- THE FOR)AL PROOF FOR APAURUSHEYATVA OF THE VEDAS


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Ha+in/ e!ta('i!he the e2i!ten$e o" a (e/innin/'e!! traition o" hanin/ownthe Vea! "ro* tea$her to !t%ent in an in$ontro+erti('e *anner3 the#roo" "ora#a%r%!he&at+a o" the Vea! i! now (ein/ #re!ente. The #ra*ana "ore!ta('i!hin/the %na%thorene!! o" the Vea! i! an%#a'a(hi3 non6a##rehen!ion3 o" athin/$a#a('e o" (ein/ a##rehene i" it !ho%' ha+e e2i!te. The $a#a$it& o"an%#a'a(hi to 'ea to know'e/e o" the non6e2i!ten$e o" a thin/ ha!

(eene"ine a! "o''ow!4

@The $a#a$it& o" an%#a'a(hi ,non6a##rehen!ion- i! the "a$t o" (ein/that who!e$o%nter6#o!iti+e i! a!!%*e "ro* the hotheti$a' e2i!ten$e o" ,theo(e$t o"-that $o%nter6#o!iti+e. That i! to !a&3 the $a#a$it& o" non6a##rehen!ion i!the"a$t o" it! (ein/ a non6a##rehen!ion who!e $o%nter6#o!iti+e3 +i


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ha on$e3 ina re*ote an i!tant #a!t3 re$o+ere the Vea "ro* the a!%ra D%r/a*a"or the

(ene"it o" the wor'.

Na*a!the !aran&e3 !hi+e !an%ka*#e3Na*a!the a/a +&a#ike +i!waroo#e3Na*a!the a/a +anh&a #aara+inhe3Na*a!the a/atharini thrahi %r/e.

Sa'%tation! to Her who i! the re"%/e39ho i! #ea$e"%' an *er$i"%'3Sa'%tation! to Her who #er+ae! e+er&where3

An who i! the "or* o" the %ni+er!e3Sa'%tation! to Her who!e 'ot%! "eet3I! wor!hi##e (& the %ni+er!e3

An Sa'%tation! to Her who !a+e! the %ni+er!e3P'ea!e #rote$t *e oh3 D%r/a.

Na*o e+i %r/e !hi+e 0hee*a nahe3Sara!wath&ar%nathith&a*o/ha !waroo#e3

Vi(hoothi !a$hi ka'a rathri !athi thwa*3Na*a!the a/atharini thrahi %r/e.

Sa'%tation! to that ?oe!! D%r/a39ho i! the $on!ort o" Shi+a39ho ha! the "ear!o*e !o%n39ho i! Sara!wathi an Ar%nathi39ho ha! a *ea!%re'e!! "or*39ho i! the innate #ower39ho i! Sa$hi e+i39ho i! the ee# Dark Ni/ht3An who i! Sathi De+i3An !o !a'%tation! to &o% who !a+e! the %ni+er!e3P'ea!e #rote$t *e oh3 D%r/a.

,"ro* D%r/a Stotra*-

En o" Thir Se$tion tit'e :A#a%r%!he&at+a o" the Vea! TheTraitiona'Proo":.


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Source : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/advaitin/message/54669

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Apaurusheyatva of the Vedas