apoureshya

[Guest guest]

there was a question by carl why vedas are considered apoureshya. is

it not a matter of fact that rishis revealed vedic knowledge at a

particular point in time? the vedic people accepted it as true

perhaps because of faith in these rishis based on their achara

(conduct). so how is this any from the faith of primitive peoples or

followers avaidhika schools of thoughts such as semitic faiths?

 

not only vedic knowledge but all knowledge is apoureshya. knowledge

about gravitation, for example, is not taught by earth or sky but

appeared within the person who searched for it. even when we hear

the understanding or realization happens internally - the aha

feeling that we are all familiar with in respect of mundane

education! in the same way, it is natural that the knowledge of god

(krishna) will also appear within a person who searches for him in

wild abandon - not another.if we search after truth, we can also

discover it proportionate to our commitment because knowledge is

within us. for this there is empirical / logical evidence because

knowledge is appears to be a product of search even in the

phenomenal world. that this is true of spiritual truths is known

from the fact that people from different backgrounds reveal common

truths with respect to god as well. the need for gradation comes

because of the differences in the views expressed by the bonafide,

semi, demi and pseudo transcendentalists. the only recourse here is

that one sincerely searches within. for us who dont have the

realization it is impossible to determine what is right or wrong. so

we accept things based on mental inclinations and buddhi.

 

though knowledge (veda) is by definition apoureshya, it is a matter

of fact that it is easier to hear about gravitation and understand

it compared to discovering it on our own. so the vedic rishis passed

on their realization meticuously ensuring that it is not transformed

in transmission. even loss was not considered serious compared to

transformation. that is why sruti was passed on in very structured

manner packed in chandas. the idea was that when it is received by a

qualified disciple, it will help him he will realize it just like we

can understand gravitation. as wrong knowledge would mislead him, it

was important not to transform it. but is loss not a risk because

incomplete knowledge is dangerous? the answer is that mind is not

any way capable of comprehending the infinite and knowledge is

infinite. so the sruti is meant to remove ignorance so that the

knowledge within can shine forth. the words of puranas, itihasas,

acharyas and sadhus is as effective if it can destroy our ignorance

and help us realize the vedic truth. if it has the same effect, then

it is just as good as sruti. in fact, it is greater than sruti if it

can produce greater result. but sruti reveal him because of which

all things become known. how can any thing be greater than sruti? so

far nothing has been.

 

in the case of semitic and preceptor driven faiths, knowledge is

external and is dependant on a historic personality.