Re:Post 3 a) Classification of reals

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavatas,

 

In post 1, a real was defined as that which is not negated by

any of the three valid means of acquiring knowledge. The

reals (tattvas) have been classified into two broad categories:

1. Substance (dravya)

2. Non-Substance (adravya)

 

Definition 1: A substance (dravya) is a real (tattva) that is

subject to change; this change is either perceived by the

senses or noted in scripture.

 

Axiom 1 a) A substance is composed of a substratum

(foundational layer to which the name refers)

and attribute (s). The attribute (attributes) is within (are

within) the substratum. Although distinct from the

substratum, an attribute is inseparably related to it (an

attribute can only exist within some substratum.)

 

Axiom 1 b) A substance is always cognized as a

substratum qualified by an attribute.

 

Definition 2: A modification (avasthA) in the substratum,

which is influenced by an external substance (that is by

a substance not within the substance under consideration),

is an attribute of the substance.

 

Definition 3: Non-substance (adravya) is that which is not

substance.

 

Special cases:

 

1. A substance can be within another substance as an

attribute. For example, Jnana (Knowledge) is a substance,

but it is within another substance Jiva (roughly individual soul)

as an attribute.

 

2. A modification (avastha) is an attribute, but an attribute may

not be a modification. For instance, cowness (the consolidated attribute)

is an attribute that is inseparable from cow, but this

attribute is not effected by external substances; thus, it is not a

modification.

 

Example:

 

Clay is a substance (name clay refers to the substratum) that

is subject to change [relates to definition 1.] When it is shaped

as a pot or a vase, we see a clay pot or a clay vase;

substratum as qualified by the attribute within. [relates to

definition 2 and the axioms.]

 

Notes:

 

1. The source is Fundamentals of Vis'istAdvaita VedAnta: A

Study Based on VedAnta DesikA's Tattva-MuktA KalApa.

Although, the substance comes from the source, the

presentation and organization is different (any errors are

mine alone.)

 

2. I had to postpone examples of Vedanta Desika's mastery

until the next posting, because digesting these definitions

and axioms is key to appreciating Vedanta Desika's

beautiful and sharp and impenetrable rebuttals!

 

Adiyen,

Venkat

KrishNarpaNam