The Term "Most Perfect" 1/ Nihilist vs Realist

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Dear Bahagavatas,

namO nArAyaNA.

 

I often make use of the term *most perfect* in postings

to describe Vis*istAdvaita. Some may feel that the use

of such a term indicates a dogmatic allegiance to a particular

school of thought or arrogance. In this posting (which is

to be part of a sequence), I hope to provide some motivation

for the use of the term "most perfect", in describing

vis*istAdvaita, and remove these misconceptions.

 

1- st attempt at providing motivation for the use of

the term "most perfect":

 

There are many fundamental concepts,

even within the realm of perception, to which general

definitions cannot be applied. The concept of a set, which

is the substratum of most branches of mathematics, is one

to which a general definition cannot be applied. Trying to

define a set, in general, results in a contradiction; thus, it

is described by a collection of axioms (statement of facts

accepted as truths without proof) which outline its

properties. The existence of sets is a fundamental truth,

but it is a concept to which a general definition cannot

be applied. This does not mean we should deny its

existence, we should simply accept the limitation and

describe the concept in a most perfect manner.

 

Sri. Vedanta Desika, the lion of logic, expresses this

line of reasoning in TMK, in the chapter on knowledge

(TMK, by Sri. S.M.S. Chari page 161)*If something is

evident to our experience, it cannot be denied even

if it cannot be specifically defined. Thus, for instance,

the difference in the taste of sugar cane juice and that

of milk cannot be defined in words, but all the same

the difference is undeniable in asmuch as it is evident

to one'* own experience. The same explanation should

hold good also in respect of subject-object relation."

 

In the next post I will do my best to go into details; the post

will attempt to contrast the nihilistic and realistic approach,

as it relates to the topic of subject/object relationship.

I will also try to provide further motivation for the use of

the term most perfect.

 

ramanuja dasan,

Venkat

krishNArpaNam

(Venkat Nagarajan)

Toronto