Visistadvaitha 12 (Shabda pramanam)

[Guest guest]

Jai Srimannarayana!

 

 

Both of my friends (atheist and “Believer” in God) were as silent as grave.

I added that

" Using the same Anumaana pramaana it is also possible to prove that there is no

God. Why cannot the same argument be argued in this way – “One observes

chemicals reacting and producing new compounds. We are able to observe dynamic

and static nature in matter itself. Nuclear reactions (fusion and fission) can

produce energy and mass. Why cannot the matter itself gets changed by itself and

creates the Universe? Why cannot its continuance be termed as sustaining of

universe? Why cannot its anti-reactions be called as destruction of universe? If

we need something to control these changes of matter then, why cannot we infer a

physical force to control these instead of inferring a sentient God?

 

My friends (atheist and “Believer” in God) accepted that they do not have answer

for any of my questions.

 

" All the man made scriptures in this regard cannot be taken as authority if they

are also based on the same Anumaana pramaana. Further, man made scriptures

always cannot be considered authentic – pride and prejudices are characteristics

for many men. Also many such man made scriptures contradict among themselves and

a question raises “which man made scripture is to accepted?” These questions do

not have rational answer(s) as far as Pratyaksham and Anumaanam pramaanams are

concerned. "

 

Both of my friends (atheist and “Believer” in God) continued to be as silent as

grave. Both of them realized limitation of Anumaana Pramaanam also. Both of them

after a deep breath, said

“Have you got any other authority (Pramaanam) using which you can prove the

existence of God and that of individual souls without the above mentioned

contradictions/unanswered questions?”

I replied to them

“Yes. That pramaanam is called the Sabda Pramanam, which is the Veda/Sruti.

But Pratyaksham and Anumanam though are found to be inadequate in this context

(establishing God’s existence), they are also considered but with their

limitations ”

They said,

“First you explain the nature of the Sabda Pramanam and then use it to

prove the existence of God and that of individual souls”.

 

I then started to explain to them in detail as follows.

 

I now proceed to continue with my explanation regarding Sabda Pramaanam that is

Veda/Sruti. I addressed both the atheist and the believer in God and said that

Sabda Pramaanam which, is Veda alone establishes the existence of God and that

of individual souls and many other transcendental entities which, cannot be

established using the Pratyaksha pramaanam and Anumaana pramaanam. Both had

agreed the inadequate nature of Pratyaksham and Anumaanam in this regard. They

started to listen very carefully when I started to explain the nature of Sabda

pramaanam (Veda) as follows:

 

" The Veda is totally different from pratyaksham and anumaanam as far as its

nature is concerned but surely we recognize pratyaksham and anumaanam as

pramaanams with their limitations. While studying the Veda, if certain knowledge

imparted by it appears to be contradictory to it or pratyaksham or well framed

logical anumaanam, we need to reconcile it by doing a synthesis. Let us now get

to know about the nature of Sabda pramaanam (Veda).

 

The nature of Veda (otherwise called as Sruti) is listed down as points:

 

1. Veda is Apourusheyam – Not authored by anybody.

2. Veda is eternal, has no date of origin and end.

3. Veda is the only flawless ultimate authority and authority by itself.

4. Veda has power to impart knowledge by itself that is its virtue and

does not require any sub-agent in this regard.

5. Veda is infinite and universal.

 

 

 

 

Andal Tiruvadigale Saranam

Madhava Ramanuja dasan.