Post 3b) Classification of reals cont'd

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavatas,

 

Post 3a) was a bit terse and abstract. I want to augment

the material in post 3a) with two or three posts consisting

of examples and discussion. This post consists of a

single concocted example and a brief write-up on the

difference between definition and axiom. To gain a better

understanding try to pick several reals and try classify them.

 

Example:

 

1. A monitor Screen is a substance (dravya.)

- Just like clay, the monitor screen is subject to change;

these changes are perceived by our sense of sight.

[i am making use of definition 1 here to classify a real

as a substance.]

- When we see the screen, we always see it as either

a off-screen, or a screen-saver screen and so on. Thus,

we cognise the substratum (remember the name screen

applies to the substratum) as qualified by an attribute (the

state the screen is in; off, screen-saver, and so on.)

[Axioms like 1a) and 1b), draw support from pratyaksa

PramAna (Perception as a valid means of acquiring

knowledge)]

 

Distinction Between Definition and Axiom:

 

The difference between definitions and axioms is

important to note. I am not sure if the original Sanskrit

texts explicate this distinction, but it is definitely implicit

in the English commentaries.

 

A definition outlines certain properties and specifies a

label to be assigned to the reals (substances and non

substances) that satisfy these properties.

 

An axiom is a declaration of a statement of fact that must

be accepted as such without proof. The statement

of fact is based on support from one or more of the sources

of valid information outlined earlier. If an axiom is based solely

on perception, it cannot be disputed without a valid counter

example!

 

Notes:

1. The material in this posting is not based on any external

source.

2. Always keep in mind that which is infinite can only be

described in a most perfect (not perfect) manner in the finite

realm.

3. Knowledge is independent of the body and mind, it is self

manifesting. It reveals itself to the knower the jiva. An

individual can have a great store of knowledge without the

ability to express this knowledge. Whereas, another can have

a sharp mind with which he or she can process information

obtained through the senses (when in contact with objects,

for instance books), but has a very contracted store of

knowledge.) These postings do not represent knowledge

but rather objects that may act as a catalyst for the

self-manifesting knowledge. I have a dearth of knowledge;

that is why I need to make use of this body and mind to try

to stimulate that self-manifesting knowledge.

4. We will discuss knowledge in detail later, but I needed to

make explicit the point above.

 

Adiyen,

Venkat

KrishNarpaNam