Visistadvaitha 8 (Pramaana)

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Jai Srimannarayana!

 

Lesson Three

 

The Pramaana – A lively explanation

 

In the first lesson, we briefly studied the four categories which philosophy

claims to put any concept into such categories and then do a “synthesis” to

establish concepts. Those four categories were stated as Pramaana, Premeya,

Pramatha & Prama. We also say the various pramaanas accepted in our

Visistaadvaita Shree Vaishnavam namely Pratyaksham, Anumaanam and Sabdam(Veda).

We also saw the “Ubhaya Vedanta Tradition” meaning.

 

In the second lesson, we saw in brief, the historical background of our Shree

Sampradayam and also in a very very condensed form, the concepts of our Matham.

Those concepts of our Matham were just stated but needs explanations with proof.

It will be dealt with, in detail in future step by step. The third lesson as

given below is the first step towards it.

 

This lesson further explains the concept of “Pramaanam” which is one among the

four items mentioned in the first lesson (“Pramaana, Premeya, Pramatha &

Prama”). This explanation is given in this lesson because of the need to stress

the difference between the validity/limitations of various pramanas and the

importance of “Sabda Pramana” which is Veda/Sruti.

 

 

This lesson is in the form of logical arguments to bring out the importance of

Pramanam. I therefore request the reader to read this lesson in full and then

comprehend it.

 

An atheist met me once and we started discussing. On seeing my God-fearing

nature, he started to argue with me as follows:

 

The atheist said,

 

“See this my dear friend! Have you ever seen the “God” using your eyes?

Have you ever heard his voice using your ears?

Have you touched him or you have ever sensed his touch?

Have you smelt his odor using your nose?

Have you tasted him using your tongue?

He said, “Similarly have you sensed your “Soul” which you call as

“Jeevatman” in any of these manners?”

 

I replied -

 

" No” to all these questions raised by him.

 

The atheist with a big laughter said,

 

“Then how come you believe that there is a “God”? How come you believe

that there is something in each of our bodies called “Jeevatman” (soul)?

None have sensed these two using their sense organs.

 

He further said,

 

“Stop believing in all these things – they should be only imaginary. Who can

prove their presence using the application of sense organs? As far as life is

there, one must enjoy it. There is nothing after death. Stop thinking of reward

for good deeds and punishment for bad deeds. Do what you like!”

 

He then continued his laughter in a very loud manner. He thought that he has

made me dumb without a counter-argument to refute his arguments and prove

something against his ideas of atheism. Anyway I listened to all of his words

carefully. After he stopped his laughter, I gently said to him,

--

 

( To be continued.......)

Andal Tiruvadigale Saranam

Madhava Ramanuja dasan.