1837 Verse 2916

Original

अतो यत्रापि मिथ्यात्वं परेभ्यः प्रतिपाद्यते ।
तत्राप्येतद्द्वयं वाच्यं नतु साधर्म्यमात्रकम् ॥ २९१६ ॥

ato yatrāpi mithyātvaṃ parebhyaḥ pratipādyate |
tatrāpyetaddvayaṃ vācyaṃ natu sādharmyamātrakam || 2916 ||

“For these reasons, even in cases where the falsity is explained to others,—these two ideas have to be pointed out,—and not mere similarity.”—(2916)

Kamalaśīla

The Buddhists and others have argued that the Words of the Veda must be false,—because they are words,—like such human assertions as ‘Fire is cool’.

The Mīmāṃsaka proceeds to show that this argument is ‘Inconclusive’.—[see verse 2916 above]

‘In cases’—such as that of the Vedic Injunction.

‘These two ideas’—i.e. the idea that the truth is otherwise than what has been said in the Veda, and also that what has been so said has had a defective source.

‘Mere similarity’—i.e. the mere fact of being ‘words’ and thereby being similar to human assertions.—(2916)

Question:—Why should mere similarity not be urged?

Answer:—[see verses 2917-2919 next]