1738 Verse 2750

Original

नास्वभावात्स्वनाशौ च प्रयत्नानन्तरीयकौ ।
कपालालोकराश्यादि तथाज्ञाननिबन्धनम् ॥ २७५० ॥

nāsvabhāvātsvanāśau ca prayatnānantarīyakau |
kapālālokarāśyādi tathājñānanibandhanam || 2750 ||

The ākāśa and the ‘destruction’ do not ‘follow from effort’,—as they are entirely devoid of character. what form the basis of the idea of these are: (1) the potsherds, (2) the mass of light and so forth.—(2750)

Kamalaśīla

Even if these were of the nature of ‘Destruction’,—there is no ‘falsity’ or ‘Inconclusiveness’ in our Reason.—This is what is pointed out in the following:—[see verse 2750 above]

‘Prayatnā, etc. etc.’—This compound is to be construed with ‘na’.

“Why?”

‘Because they are entirely devoid of character’,—Because ‘Destruction’ consists merely in the negation of the existence of things,—and ‘Ākāśa’ consists merely in the negation of Tangibility; hence both these—Ākāśa and Destruction,—are devoid of character, featureless. How then can they be following after effort? As it is only character that can be capable of effective action.

Question:—“What then is the basis of the idea of the Destruction, etc.?”

Answer:—‘The pieces, etc. etc.’—‘mass of light’; ‘and so forth’ includes mass of darkness also.—(2750)