B hartrhari on the N on-distinction

between R eal ity and Unreal ity

H idey o O g awa
0 . I ntrodu ction
I n his V ak y ap adiy a B hartrhari arg u es that l ang u ag e and real ity are never discon-
nected: Lang u ag e tou ches on real ity throu g h the u nreal ap p earances of real ity , that
is, what al l words ref er to is the u l tim ate real ity , B rahm an. T his view is, of cou rse,
a cl ose ref l ection of the idea that the p henom enal worl d, which is the real m of verbal
com m u nication ( vy avahdra) or the sem antic f iel d, is a m anif ol d ap p earance of the
one absol u te real ity . I f both one word f or x and another word f or non-x ref er to
the sam e real ity ( x and non-x being eq u al l y nothing bu t the u nreal ap p earances of
B rahm an) , then the concep ts of x and non-x wil l not be dif f erentiated f rom each
other. T his is the rel ativism B hartrhari hol ds. For B hartrhari, theref ore, thing s in
the p henom enal worl d which seem to be contradictory to each other are rel ativized,
whereas the non-du al entity is bey ond rel ativization; with reg ard to this non-du al
real ity variou s concep tu al izations occu r which p rovide it with al l k inds of del im ita-
tions that have no absol u te statu s. Even the one real ity , thu s, cannot stand on its
rig hts if it is rel ativized. W hat is interesting is that, in order to exp l ain the m anif ol d
ap p earance of B rahm an, B hartrhari introdu ces the notion of cap acity ( sak ti) , so that
he can secu re f or B rahm an the transcendence of u nity and m u l tip l icity . B rahm an is
assu m ed to have a variety of concep tu al izing cap acities by virtu e of which it is seen
dif f erentl y and its ap p earances are concep tu al ized dif f erentl y , and with ref erence to
which verbal ization tak es p l ace ( B rahm an -tsak ti -tdarsanavik al p a -^ vy avahdra) .
T his is a sim p l if ied p rocess of verbal ization. 1
' B hartrhari m entions three f actors necessary f or com m u nication ( vy avahara) : seeing som ething
( riip ana, al ocana, darsana) , concep tu al cog nition ( j nana, vik al p a) which determ ines it, and its
verbal exp ression ( vy ap adesa, abhil ap a) . S ee K P 3 . 3 . 5 5 : riip anavy ap adesabhy dm l au k ik e vartm ani
sthitau / j nanam p raty abhil ap am co sadrsau bal ap anditau / / ( ' W hen they are in the cou rse
of every day l if e, the ig norant and the wise [com m u nicate som ething ] by m eans of seeing it and
6 - i V K Si 5W 5E 12
T a k i n g up n ow VP 3 . 3 . 8 7 , t h i s i s t h e k a r k a wh i c h a d e q ua t e l y e x pr e s s e s B h a r t r h a r i ' s
t h oug h t a s s t a t e d a b ov e : t h e s e m a n t i c f i e l d i s t h a t i n wh i c h t h i n g s c on t r a d i c t or y
t o e a c h ot h e r , s uc h a s e x i s t e n c e a n d n on - e x i s t e n c e , a r e m ut ua l l y r e l a t i v i z e d a n d
t h e a ppe a r i n g of t h e ul t i m a t e r e a l i t y a s t h e ph e n om e n a l wor l d m a k e s pos s i b l e i t s
v e r b a l i z a t i on . I t r e a d s a s f ol l ows :
VP 3 . 3 . 8 7 : t a s m . d c c h a k t i v i b h d g e n a n i t y a h s a d a s a d d t m a k a h /
e k o ' r t h a h s a b d a v d c y a t v e b a h ur upa h pr a k a s a t e / /
A t f i r s t s i g h t , i t m i g h t a ppe a r t h a t i n t e r pr e t i n g t h i s k a r i k a i s n ot d i f f i c ul t . B ut , s i n c e
t h e e s s e n c e of B h a r t r h a r i ' s l i n g ui s t i c t h oug h t i s c on d e n s e d t h e r e , i t s c l e a r un d e r s t a n d -
i n g i s e s s e n t i a l f or pl a c i n g t h e k a r i k a i n q ue s t i on i n c on f or m i t y wi t h h i s i n t e n t i on .
Nowt h e i n t e r pr e t a t i on s s c h ol a r s h a v e a t t e m pt e d i n t h e pa s t a r e a s f ol l ows :
I y e r [ 19 7 1: 119 ] : " T h e r e f or e , t h e on e e t e r n a l R e a l i t y , c on s i s t i n g of e x i s t e n -
c e a n d n on - e x i s t e n c e , s h i n e s t h r oug h i t s d i f f e r e n t powe r s , i n m a n y f or m s
wh e n c on v e y e d b y wor d s . "
R a g h un a t h a Sa r m a [ 19 7 4 : 3 3 4 ] : t a s m d t s a r v a v y a v a h d r d n d m pur v ok t a r i t y a
v i k a l pa pr a b h a v a t v e n d s a d v i s a y a k a t v d t , n i t y a h k ut a s t h o n i r v i k d r a h s a d a s a d -
d t m a k a h s v a s m i n n a v i d y d k a l pi t a b h d v d b h d v a t d d d t m y d d h y d s d pa n n a h , e k a h
s a r v a v i d h a b h e d a s ' un y a h , a r t h o b r a h m a r upa h s a b d a v d c y a t v a d a s d y d m s a k t i -
v i b h d g e n a s v d s r i t d n a n t a s a k t i b h e d e n a b a h ur upa h a n a n t a b h d v d b h d v a r upa h ,
pr a k a s a t e pr a t i y a t e / ( t h e por t i on un d e r l i n e d : " ' s a d a s a d d t m a k a ' m e a n s
[ t h e e n t i t y ( a r t h a ) ] wh i c h a c q ui r e s t h e s upe r i m pos i t i on of t h e i d e n t i t y
wi t h b ot h e x i s t e n c e a n d n on - e x i s t e n c e t h a t a r e t h e c on c e pt ua l i z e d d ue
t o n e s c i e n c e upon t h e e n t i t y i t s e l f . " )
Houb e n [ 19 9 5: 3 15] : " T h e r e f or e , i n a c c or d a n c e wi t h a d i f f e r e n t i a t i on of
c a pa c i t i e s , t h e pe r m a n e n t , on e T h i n g - m e a n t , wh i c h i s of t h e n a t ur e of e x i -
s t e n t a n d n on - e x i s t e n t , m a n i f e s t s i t s e l f a s m a n i f ol d wh e n i t i s e x pr e s s e d
b y wor d s . "
T h e q ue s t i on i s h ow we s h oul d t a k e t h e ph r a s e s a d a s a d d t m a k a i n pd d a b . Ev e r y
i n t e r pr e t a t i on i s m i s l e a d i n g e x c e pt R a g h un a t h a Sa r m a ' s . I n v i e w of B h a r t r h a r i ' s
e x pr e s s i n g i t i n wor d s . T h e y a r e a l i k e i n t h a t t h e y r e s or t t o [ c on c e pt ua l ] c og n i t i on a n d v e r b a l
e x pr e s s i on [ i n c om m un i c a t i on ] . ' ) Fr om h i s n on - d ua l i s t i c v i e wpoi n t , t h e ul t i m a t e ob j e c t of t h e
s e e i n g s h oul d b e B r a h m a n , wh i c h i s s e e n d i f f e r e n t l y d ue t o t h e c a pa c i t y of n e s c i e n c e ( a v i d y a s a k t i ) .
Se e P a d d h a t i on Vr t t i a d VP 1. 9 wh i c h wi l l b e d e a l t wi t h l a t e r . A n d a l s o, f or t h e c on n e c t i on of
c on c e pt ua l i z a t i on a n d v e r b a l i z a t i on s e e Og a wa [ 19 9 9 ] .
B h a r t r h a r i on t h e N on- d i s t i nc t i on be t we e n R e a l i t y a nd U nr e a l i t y ( O ga wa ) 7
fund a m e nt a l t h e s i s t h a t t h e ul t i m a t e r e a l i t y , t h e und e l i m i t e d , a ppe a r s a s d e l i m i t e d ,
we h a ve t o s a y t h a t t h e one pe r m a ne nt r e a l i t y a ppe a r s a s be i ng of t h e na t ur e of
e x i s t e nc e a nd non- e x i s t e nc e a nd not t h a t wh a t i s of t h e na t ur e of e x i s t e nc e a nd
non- e x i s t e nc e a ppe a r s a s s om e t h i ng. For B h a r t r h a r i , t h e ul t i m a t e r e a l i t y B r a h m a n
i s be y ond r e l a t i vi z a t i on a nd c a nnot i nvol ve a c ont r a d i c t i on i n i t . T h e r e for e , a ga i ns t
t h e i nt e r pr e t a t i ons by I y e r a nd Hoube n wh o und e r s t a nd t h a t B h a r t r h a r i c ons i d e r s
B r a h m a n t o h a ve t h e t wo a s pe c t s of s a t a nd a s a t , 2 I woul d l i k e t o a r gue t h a t t a k i ng
s a d a s a d d t m a k a a s q ua l i fy i ng t h e a ppe a r a nc e s of B r a h m a n ( ba h ur upa ) i s m or e c on-
s i s t e nt wi t h B h a r t r h a r i ' s t h e s i s . A s wi l l be s e e n l a t e r , He l a r a j a i nt e r pr e t s i t i n t h a t
m a nne r . We m us t gi ve h i s vi e ws c a r e ful c ons i d e r a t i on. T o m y und e r s t a nd i ng, h i s
i nt e r pr e t a t i on fa i t h ful l y r e fl e c t s t h e c or e of B h a r t r h a r i ' s l i ngui s t i c t h ough t .
T h e q ue s t i on of t h e s a r fos a d a t m a fc a - i nt e r pr e t a t i on i s r e l a t e d t o t h e q ue s t i ons of
t h e ve r ba l i z a t i on of B r a h m a n, t h e r e l a t i vi s m h ol d i ng i n t h e d om a i n of t h e t h i ngs i n
t h e ph e nom e na l wor l d , a nd t h e c a pa c i t i e s of B r a h m a n und e r l y i ng i t s ve r ba l i z a t i ons .
I n t h i s pa pe r , e x a m i ni ng t h e s e q ue s t i ons , I s h a l l pr opos e a ne w i nt e r pr e t a t i on of t h e
k a r i k a und e r c ons i d e r a t i on.
1 . Conve r ge nc e of a l l wor d s upon t h e ul t i m a t e r e a l i t y
I n P a s pa s a h ni k a , c om m e nt i ng on Ka t y a y a na ' s fi r s t va r t t i k a : s i d d h e s a bd d r t h a s a m -
ba nd h e s t a t e d wi t h r e ga r d t o t h e pe r m a ne nc e of wor d m e a ni ngs , P a t a i i j a l i put s for -
wa r d t h e vi e w t h a t a s ubs t a nc e ( d r a vy a ) i s pe r m a ne nt a nd i t s for m s ( a k r t i ) a r e
t r a ns i e nt , a nd t h e vi e w t h a t a c l a s s pr ope r t y { a k r t i ) i s pe r m a ne nt a nd a s ubs t a nc e i s
t r a ns i e nt . 3 I n e i t h e r vi e w wh a t i s d e not e d by a wor d i s e t e r na l a nd r e a l . I n a gr e e m e nt
wi t h t h e s e vi e ws , i n t h e J a t i s a m ud d e s a a nd Dr a vy a s a m ud d e s a , B h a r t r h a r i d e a l s wi t h
t h e wor d m e a ni ngs wh i c h a r e a bs t r a c t e d fr om a s e nt e nt i a l m e a ni ng, a s i ngl e i nd i -
vi s i bl e e nt i t y , a nd wh i c h a r e t o be e q ua t e d wi t h t h e a bs ol ut e r e a l i t y . T h e y a r e a
uni ve r s a l ( j d t i ) a nd a s ubs t a nc e ( d r a vy a ) . I n V T 3 . 1 . 2 B h a r t r h a r i s t a t e s a s fol l ows :
V P 3 . 1 . 2 : pa d d r t h d nd m a pod d h d r e j d t i r vd d r a vy a m e va vd /
pa d d r t h a u s a r va s a bd d nd m ni t y d v e vopa va r ni t a u //
"Wh e n wor d m e a ni ngs a r e a bs t r a c t e d [ fr om a s e nt e nt i a l m e a ni ng] , for
a ny l i ngui s t i c uni t [ i n t h e for m of a wor d ] i t s m e a ni ng i s not h i ng ot h e r
2 Hoube n [ 1 9 9 5 : 3 1 5 ] : "T h i s ul t i m a t e r e a l i t y i s s a i d t o be pe r m a ne nt , a nd of t h e na t ur e of t h e
e x i s t e nt a nd non- e x i s t e nt . "
4t A . m *I fr \J 4A V bE A 1 X1 A f%*~t LSt Li T T U LX1 1 1 1 1 \^t \f^f &t f fft t I fr ^^U U U I \A i /U 1 4l i t L4ft l t U L4l i t / * * * fi . f( y | j ^^l i t /fr A ffr fr ^U Lfr i 1 1
a k r t i r a ni t y a /
8 - i y K g*S5W 35 12
than e i the r a u ni v e r s al or a s u bs tance . T he y hav e be e n d e cl ar e d to be
i nd e e d e te r nal [ by P atanj al i i n P as p as ahni k a] ."
I t i s w e l l k now n that P atanj al i m e nti ons V aj ap yayana as a p r op one nt of the the or y
that a w or d d e note s the u ni v e r s al and V yad i as a p r op one nt of the v i e w that i t
d e note s a s u bs tance . B har tr har i tr i e s to e s tabl i s h the u ni v e r s al v al i d i ty of the s e
the or i e s - s u ch e s tabl i s hm e nt be i ng the the m e of the s e Sam u d d e s as - not onl y f r om
a v i e w p oi nt of how thi ngs ar e d e note d by w or d s ( v yd p d r al ak s ana) 4 bu t al s o f r om a
m e tap hys i cal p oi nt of v i e w .
I n the J ati s am u d d e s a, B har tr har i atte m p ts to e s tabl i s h the u ni v e r s al v al i d i ty of
the the or y that the w or d d e note s the u ni v e r s al by i ntr od u ci ng the 5ai i a- m od e l . H e
s tate s as f ol l ow s :
V P 3.1.32: s atyas atyau tu yau bhd gau p r ati bhd v am v yav as thi tau /
s atyam yat tatr a s d j d ti r as atyd v yak tayah s m r td h / /
" I t i s tr ad i ti onal l y s ai d that, of the r e al and u nr e al as p e cts w hi ch ar e d e -
te r m i ne d w i th r e f e r e nce to e v e r y e nti ty, the r e al [ as p e ct] i s the u ni v e r s al ,
w he r e as the u nr e al one i s the i nd i v i d u al ( v yak ti ) ."
V P 3.1.33: s am band hi bhe d d t s attai v a bhi d yam d nd gav d d i s u /
j d ti r i ty u cyate tas yd m s ar v e s abd d v yav as thi td h / /
" B e i ng i ts e l f , be i ng d i f f e r e nti ate d accor d i ng to the thi ngs r e l ate d to i t, i s
cal l e d the u ni v e r s al [ s u ch as gotv a ( ' cow ne s s ' ) ] w he n [ abi d i ng] i n an [ i nd i -
v i d u al s u ch as ] a cow : e v e r y w or d i s d e te r m i ne d to d e note that [ B e i ng] ."
V P 3.1A 0 : d s r ayah s v d tm am d tr d v d bhd v d v d v yati r e k i nah /
s v as ak tayo v d s attd yd bhe d ad ar s anahe tav ah / /
" I t i s i ts s u bs tr atu m or i ts ow n e l e m e nts ( s v d tm am d tr d ) or e nti ti e s d i f -
f e r e nt f r om i t or i ts ow n cap aci ti e s w hi ch ar e the cau s e s of i ts ap p e ar i ng
4 Gr am m ar i ans ' m ai n conce r n i s w hat the w or d s e xp r e s s and not the actu al s tate of af f ai r s . I n
V P 3.1.l l B har tr har i s tate s that the m e ani ngs of w or d s ar e d e te r m i ne d by w hat the w or d s actu al l y
conv e y ( v yap ar al ak s ana yas m at p ad ar thah s am av as thi td h) . Fr om thi s p oi nt of v i e w , the f ol l ow i ng
k ar i k as ar e s tate d : FP 3.1.12: j atau p ad ar the j ati r v a v i s e s o v ap i j ati v at / s abd ai r ap e k s yate yas m d d
atas te j ati v aci nah / / ( " O n the v i e w that the u ni v e r s al i s a w or d m e ani ng, e v e n w he n the w or d j d ti
r e f e r s to the u ni v e r s al i ts e l f or e v e n w he n the w or d d e v ad atta to the p ar ti cu l ar , thos e w or d s e xp e ct
the i r r e f e r e nts to be l i k e the u ni v e r s al ; the r e f or e , the y ar e r e gar d e d as w hat d e note the u ni v e r s al ." )
V P 3.1.13: d r av yad har m a p ad ar the tu d r av ye s ar v o ' r tha u cyate / d r av yad har m as r ayad d r av yam
atah s ar v o ' r tha i s yate / / ( " O n the v i e w that a s u bs tance i s a w or d m e ani ng, on the othe r hand ,
any m e ani ng that i s e xp r e s s e d [ by the w or d ] has the p r op e r ty of s u bs tance . T he r e f or e , any m e ani ng
i s acce p te d as a s u bs tance by r e s or ti ng to the p r op e r ty of s u bs tance ." )
8 a + . . . a + . | ea . a . N ea- 1 | . | a: . | ea |. . w . . a | . + | | . + a1 | a. . + | | . 0 + w + :
+ 1 | | | . . . a. | + . . 1 |a . 1 + 1 + . + a+ a . . .
hv. . w e. 1 1 . ae. . 8 . | a + . . 1 w a | : a | 8 . + a n+ a + a1 . a . a | a . . . a| v. . + | J a .
| a1 | v| 1 . + | |. | a . a . | e: . e| 8 . | a ea. a + + . : | | | : . a| v. . + | | | . : ew a. e. v+
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l a . . + . 1 . e . a . v| . w . a + . . v. . w e. 1 1 . ae. . + . | . + a: . . a . | e| | ew | a + . | +
| a . a . l. + v + + n. 1 - 1 . + + . . w e. . a e| ae. . .
\ | . + . + n v+ . . . + 1 1 1 . + | . + + . + | . + v+ 1 a 1 . + . . /
+ + . e 1 1 a | |a | a + |1 + | a + . + n . v1 |a | 1 a | + . . / /
J a . . . + | . a. | . | 1 . . . . n| a. 1 . a . e. a | . | e. n w a | : a + . . . a. . + | l . |
. a . . . + | . a. | . , . a + . | 1 . ae. . 1 | w e. 1 . a . e. a . a . . a. . + | + 1 . a: .
J a . v| . w . . . a. . 1 a . . . . a + . + | | w e. 1 . . | . . . e . a . . . + | . a. | . . | . + a: . | | a . + a-
. | + . . 1 | C. ew ne1 . | + a1 0 e| 1 . a N . : | + : . ne1 . | 0 | . a . C. ew ne1 . | | . | + | 1 +
| e| | ew .
\ | . + 1 a . . v. a+ a| n| . . . a+ 1 . v+ 1 + . . + . a + n + . a 1 /
. a | . + n . a + + |1 . a+ . 1 1 a + n . v1 |a | 1 a . + . . / /
h . | + . + + ea \ | I . . + . + : + + . v+ + |1 + a+ n + . . + v+ : + a+ . v+ + . | + 1 + . . a + v 1 . | a /
\ J . + . . + v+ + . | e . a+ + . v+ . | | + v + v+ . a | . + / + 1 a + : + + 1 a + a+ n : + | v+ a + | + n
|a e . + a + | + + : + / / . . + | e \ lI + . . + + + . v+ || + + + + : . + n + a. + 1 a + / |a e . . |a e -
. + v + . . . a+ |a e + . . . a+ : + . a | . | a / /
l + y K a | | | l l :
l er exaa| e. l eva!a||a's |ease || : | |as |eea aa!ers|ee! ||rea | aa
aa | | xe! : aase | e . a : re ea ||e |e e| ||e |ease | s !eae|e! re: | se| y
| a | |s ar| |y |y ||e er! r|a , '|ease')
0 | ||e 0 e| !ea \ e: | | a: e ae!e| . ea ||e e||er |aa!. 8 |ar|r|ar| s|a|es as | e| | e s.
\ l : + . savaraa!| ya||! ||| aaaa! sva| r a| ara| r a!y| ||| |/
ra: a| !!ya||| !|!a!a!a sa!!|aa eva| || v!: ya|!a / /
l er exaa| e. ||e e| ! aa! ||e | | | e. ||ea | !| | | erea|| a|e! |y ||e| r e a
| aeraaaea| | eras. |e: eae ||e !eae|a|a e| er!s | | | e ra: a| a | a ||e| r
ar| |y
1|e Cre ae!e| s|e s ||a|. as ||e er! r|a | s a| | e! |e l eva!a||a's |ease | |se| |
ea ||e e: : as| ea| a reaa! , a| a| ||a) e| ||e : re || : | | s aa aa | | xe! aa! |ea|a|| ve
!e|era| aer , aa| a| saaa) e| ||e |ease. se are er!s a| | e! |e ||e rea| ea|| |y ea ||e
e: : as| ea| a reaa! e| ||e aarea| a!j aa: |s \ : : er!| a |e ||| s ae!e| . | | | e| | e s ||a|
||e ||| a s | a ||e |eaeaeaa| er| !. ||e aarea| a!j aa: |s |e ||e rea| | |y a|s|aa: e.
are ae||| a |a| ||e e: : as| ea| a reaa!s | er ||e a| | : a|| ea e| ||e er!s |e | | 0 a
||e e||er |aa!. ||e 0 e| !ea \ e: | | a: e ae!e| . || : | h e| araj a : eas| !ers |e |e a |e||er
exaa| e | er ||e re| erea: e e| ||e er! |e a|s|aa: e. s|e s ||a|. j as| as ||e er!
ra: a| a !eae|es a ar|| : a| ar ae!| | | : a|| ea e| e| ! |a| ees |eyea! | | aa! re| ers |e
||e e| ! | |se| | . s| a| | ar| y ||e er!. e| a |eyea! | |s aarea| | eras. re| ers |e ||e rea|
ea|| |y l a ||| s rese: | ||e 0 e| !ea \ e: | | a: e ae!e| |as ||e saae s|ra: |are as ||e
a||a-ae!e| | | | e ||e a||a-ae!e| . ||| s ae!e| s|e s ||a| |a| | s !eae|e! |y a
er! | s a !e| | a| |e! | era e| ||e rea| ea|| |y , a|s|aa: e) \ : : er!| a |e ||e 0 e| !ea
\ e: | | a: e ae!e| . ||ere| ere. | | | s es|a|| | s|e! ||a| every er! re| ers |e ||e sa|s|aa: e
ea ||e reaa!s ||a| a| | er!s re| er |e ||e rea| ea|| |y. e| a |eyea! | |s aarea| | eras
1|ese v| e s !e ae| !| | | er | rea ea: | e||er | a ||a| |e|| e| ||ea re| | e: | aa | !ea
||a| a| | er!s re| er |e ||e eraaaea| ea|| |y. 8 ra|aaa l a ||e v| e ||a| a sa|s|aa: e
| s a er! aeaa| a . ||e a|s|aa: e 8 ra|aaa. || : | | s !| | | erea|| a|e! |y | |s !| | | erea|
a!j aa: |s. | s re| erre! |e as se| | -sa|s| s|ea| , ar| a| s||| |a) . ||a| | s. as seae||| a | ||ea|
ea|er| a | a|e aay re| a|| eas|| |e e||ers. | a ||e v| e ||a| ||e aa| versa| | s a er!
' l |ave a!e|e! l yer's rea!| a | as|ea! e| k aa's. ya| |aa
'h e| araj a ea \ l : . ra|| a| ya|a| araar| : : || aaavr||| |v!| sarvar||a|vara|| |aa!|a! asaa| ara|/
B h a r t r h a r i on t h e N on- d i s t i nc t i on be t w e e n R e a l i t y a nd U nr e a l i t y ( O g a w a ) l l
m e a ni ng , t h e Sa i t a - B r a h m a n i s r e f e r r e d t o a s p e r s i s t i ng i n e v e r y t h i ng . 9 I n e i t h e r
v i e w w h a t H e l a r a j a r e m a r ks h ol d s :
H e l a r a j a on V P 3 . 2 . 2 : i h a s a r v a s a bd a na m p a r a m d r t h i ka m t a t t v a m s a ks d t
s p r a s t um a s 'a kt d nd m a ne kop d d h i v i s a y a ni h i t a p a d d na m t a d r up d l i ng a na m
v y a v a h d r e s a m d l a ks y a t e /
"H e r e [ i n our s y s t e m of t h oug h t ] i t i s obs e r v e d i n v e r ba l t r a ns a c t i ons
( v y a v a h d r e ) t h a t a l l w or d s t h a t c a nnot d i r e c t l y t ouc h on t h e ul t i m a t e
r e a l i t y ( t a t t v a ) e m br a c e i t w h e n t h e y a r e a p p l i e d t o v a r i ous obj e c t s of
a d j unc t s . "
Th us w h a t i s c l e a r f r om t h e a r g um e nt s i n t h e J a t i s a m ud d e s a a nd Dr a v y a s a m ud d e s a
i s t h a t a l l w or d s r e f e r t o t h e ul t i m a t e r e a l i t y , w h i l e d e not i ng i t s unr e a l a d j unc t s
a nd t h a t t h e unr e a l a d j unc t s t o i t p l a y a r ol e of t h e oc c a s i oni ng g r ound f or t h e
a p p l i c a t i on of t h e w or d t o i t . 1 0 N ow l e t us c ons i d e r t h e f ol l ow i ng ka r i ka i n w h i c h
B h a r t r h a r i d e c l a r e s B r a h m a n t o be t h e ul t i m a t e r e f e r e nt of t h e w or d ( v d c y a ) :
V P 3 . 2 . 1 6 : v d c y d s d s a r v a s a bd a na m s a bd d s c a na p r t h a k t a t a h /
a p r t h a kt v e c a s a m ba nd h a s t a y or na na t m a nor i v a / /
"Th a t [ ul t i m a t e or i g i na l s our c e ( p a r a p r a kr t i h ) ] i s w h a t a l l w or d s r e f e r
t o a nd t h e s e w or d s t h e m s e l v e s a r e not d i s t i nc t f r om i t , s o t h a t t h e r e i s
a r e l a t i on be t w e e n t h e m onl y a s i f i t w e r e be t w e e n t w o s e p a r a t e e nt i t i e s ,
a l t h oug h t h e r e i s no t r ue d i s t i nc t i on. "
I t i s not unt i l B r a h m a n a p p e a r s a s t h e w or d ( s a bd a ) a nd t h e m e a ni ng ( a r t h a ) t h a t
i t e nt e r s t h e s e m a nt i c f i e l d . Th e r e f or e , w h a t i s i nd i s p e ns a bl e f or t h e r e f e r e nc e of t h e
w or d t o B r a h m a n i s , w e m a y s a y , t h e a p p e a r a nc e of B r a h m a n a s t h e p h e nom e na l
w or l d .
9 H e l a r a j a on K P 3 . 1 . 3 5 : t a t a s c a s a r v a s a bd a na m s a t t a v a c a na t a j j d t i p a d a r t h a v y a p t i h / y a d y
a p i c a d r a v y a p a d a r t h e 'p i br a h m a d r a v y a s y a bh i d h d na m up d d h i bh e d a bh i nna s y a v a ks y a t i t a t h d p i
t a t p a r y a bh e d d d a v a s t h d bh e d a h / j d t i p a d d r t h e s a r v a t r a nv a y i r up a m j d t y a t m a nd br a h m a v i v a ks i t a m
/ d r a v y a p a d d r t h a na y e t u p a r i ni s t h i t a r up a m p a r a m d r t h a t a y e t i d a r s a na v i ka l p a h /
'"A c c or d i ng t o H e l a r a j a [ on V P 3 . 2 . 1 ] d r a v y a ( 's ubs t a nc e ') d e a l t w i t h i n t h e Dr a v y a s a m ud d e s a
i s c a l l e d p d r a m a r t h i ka d r a v y a ( 's ubs t a nc e of a n ul t i m a t e v a l ue ') , w h i c h f or m s a c ont r a s t t o
v y d v a h d r i ka d r a v y a ( 'l i ng ui s t i c s ubs t a nc e ') . Th e ul t i m a t e r e a l i t y ( t a t t v a ) i s t h e uni v e r s a l i n t h e
f or m of s a t t d i n t h e J a t i s a m ud d e s a a nd t h e f or m e r s ubs t a nc e i n t h e Dr a v y a s a m ud d e s a . Th e f a ul t of
s d r v d r t h y a t h a t a ny t h i ng c oul d be d e not e d by a ny w or d , w h i c h r e f e r s t o t h e s a m e r e a l i t y , i s a v oi d e d
by r e s or t i ng t o t h e r e s t r i c t i on of our c og ni t i v e f a c ul t y of r e a l i z i ng t h e r e a l i t y . Th i s i s c om p a r a bl e
t o t h a t t h e c a p a c i t y of t h e v i s ua l or g a n i s l i m i t e d w h e n s om e t h i ng i s l ooke d t h r oug h a t ube . Se e
V P 3 . 2 . 5 : d ka r a i s c a v y a v a c c h e d d t s a r v a r t h y a m a v a r ud h y a t e / y a t h a i v a c a ks ur d d i nd m s d m a r t h y a m
nd l i kd d i bh i h / /
1 2 4 1 / K SS& W 2 E 1 2
2 . B hartrhari's relativism
A ll that is d irec tly d en o ted b y w o rd s, the ad j u n c t d elim itin g the u ltim ate real-
ity , c o n stitu tes the phen o m en al w o rld in w hic h thin g s c o n trad ic to ry to eac h o ther
( viru d d ha, viro d hin ) are o b served . B hartrhari states:
V T 3 . 2 . 1 7 : d tm d parah priy o d vesy o vak td vac y am pray o j an am /
viru d d hd n i y athaik asy a svapn e ru pd n i c etasah / /
V P 3 . 2 . 1 8 : aj an m an i tathd n ity e pau rvapary avivarj ite /
tattve j an m ad iru patvam viru d d ham u palab hy ate / /
" J u st as, in a d ream , the o n e m in d appears in c o n trad ic to ry fo rm s, as the
self an d the n o n - self, frien d an d fo e, the speak er an d the spo k en , [ the ac t
o f speak in g an d ] the pu rpo se; in the sam e w ay , w hile the u ltim ate reality
is u n b o rn , etern al an d d evo id o f in n er sequ en c e, w e see it as havin g b irth
an d o ther c o n trad ic to ry attrib u tes. "
T he pairs o f thin g s in c o n trad ic tio n w ith eac h o ther, the m o st fu n d am en tal an d
represen tative o f pairs o f su c h thin g s in the phen o m en al w o rld , are g iven in the verse
ad d u c ed b y B hartrhari.
V rtti o n V P 1 . 1 : vy atito b hed asam sarg au b hd vab hd vau k ram ak ram au /
saty d n rte c a visvd tm d pravivek d t prak d sate / /
" T he so u l o f the u n iverse, [ B rahm an ] , w hic h is b ey o n d b hed asam sarg a
( 'd ifferen tiatio n an d u n ific atio n ') , b havab hava ( 'ex isten c e an d n o n - ex isten c e') ,
k ram ak ram a ( 'sequ en c e an d n o n - sequ en c e', an d saty an rta ( 'tru th an d
false') , appears as d iversified . "
A c c o rd in g to this verse, tho se m u tu ally c o n trad ic to ry thin g s are: b hed asam sarg a
( 'd ifferen tiatio n an d u n ific atio n ') , b havab hava ( 'ex isten c e an d n o n - ex isten c e') , k ram a-
k ram a ( 'sequ en c e an d n o n - sequ en c e) , saty an rta ( 'tru th an d false') . Eac h item o f eac h
pair is relativiz ed an d d eprived o f ab so lu te statu s.
Fo r the A d vaitin ( 'm o n ist') B hartrhari, o n e ab so lu te reality , B rahm an , is b ey o n d
d ifferen tiatio n an d u n ific atio n ( b hed asam sarg asam atik ram a) , b ein g free fro m an y c o n -
c eptu aliz atio n ( sarvavik alpatitatattva) . T his im plies that, d u e to n esc ien c e ( avid y a) ,
the reality m ay b e so c o n c eptu aliz ed that o n e c an assu m e it, in c o n trad ic to ry m an -
n ers, as o n e an d d iversified .
B h a r t r h a r i on t h e N on- d i s t i nc t i on be t we e n R e a l i t y a nd U nr e a l i t y ( O ga wa ) 1 3
He a r gue s , ba s e d upon a s i m i l a r a na l y t i c a l m e t h od t o M a d h y a m a ka 's , t h a t t h os e
wh i c h a r e i nc om pa t i bl e wi t h e a c h ot h e r a r e not s e l f - s ubs i s t e nt . He s t a t e s :
V P 3 . Q . 2 G :na i ka t v a m v y a v a t i s t h e t a na na t v a m c e n na ka l pa y e t /
na na t v a m c d v a h i y e t a y a d y e ka t v a m na ka l pa y e t / /
" I f one d i d not a s s um e pl ur a l i t y ( nd nd t v a ) , s i ngul a r i t y ( e ka t v a ) woul d
not h ol d ; a nd i f one d i d not a s s um e s i ngul a r i t y , pl ur a l i t y woul d be a ba n-
d one d . "
Wh a t t h e ka r i ka a c t ua l l y s h ows i s t h a t t h e m ut ua l l y e x c l us i v e c onc e pt s of uni t y a nd
pl ur a l i t y a r e c ont r a s t t e r m s - e a c h i s d e f i ne d t h r ough a c ont r a s t i v e e x c l us i on f r om
t h e ot h e r . T h e y a r e not d i f f e r e nt i a t e d f r om e a c h ot h e r .
V P 3 . 7 A Q : y a t pr t h a kt v a m a s a m d i gd h a m t a d e ka t v d n na bh i d y a t e /
y a d e ka t v a m a s a m d i gd h a m t a t pr t h a kt v d n na bh i d y a t e / /
" T h e pl ur a l i t y wh i c h i s [ e s t a bl i s h e d ] be y ond d oubt i s not d i f f e r e nt i a t e d
f r om s i ngul a r i t y ; t h e s i ngul a r i t y wh i c h i s [ e s t a bl i s h e d ] be y ond d oubt i s
not d i f f e r e nt i a t e d f r om pl ur a l i t y . "
I t i s i nt e r e s t i ng t o not e h e r e t h a t i n h i s V r t t i on V P 1 . 2 B h a r t r h a r i d i s t i ngui s h e s
be t we e n a s or t of a bs ol ut e s i ngul a r i t y a nd a s or t of r e l a t i v e one , t h e f or m e r be i ng
r e l a t e d t o t h e or i gi na l s our c e B r a h m a n ( pr a kr t y e ka t v a ) a nd t h e l a t t e r t o t h e ph e -
nom e na ] wor l d ( v i kd r a v i kd r i v i s a y a ) . n T h e r e a s on f or non- d i f f e r e nt i a t i on be t we e n
t h e s i ngul a r i t y a nd t h e pl ur a l i t y , t h e r e f or e , l i e s i n t h e i r unr e a l s t a t us i n r e l a t i on t o
t h e a bs ol ut e r e a l i t y . F or B h a r t r h a r i , one a nd t h e s a m e r e a l i t y , B r a h m a n, m a ni f e s t s
i t s e l f a s d i f f e r e nt i a t e d a nd uni f i e d a nd r e l a t i v i z a t i on wor ks onl y wi t h i n t h e unr e a l i t y
( a v a s t upa t i t a ) . T h a t i s t o s a y :
V P 3 . 7 . 3 9 : pa r a m d r t h e t u na i ka t v a m pr t h a kt v d d bh i nna l a ks a na m /
pr t h a kt v a i ka t v a r upe na t a t t v a m e v a pr a kd s a t e / /
l l V r t t i on V P \ . 2 : y a v a d v i kd r a v i ka r i v i s a y a m e ka t v a r upa m pr t h a kt v a r upa m v a s a r v a m t a t
pr a kr t y e ka t v d na t i kr a m e ne t y e t a d d m na t a m / P a d d h a t i on V r t t i a d V P 1 . 2 : d v i v i d h a m e ka t v a m
pr a kr t a m v a i kr t a m c o / t a t r a v a i kr t a m y a d v y a kt a u ka r y a ka r a na ga t a m e ka t v a s a m kh y a y oge na
/ pr a kr t a m y a d br a h m a v i s a y a m bh e d a v y a v a c c h e d a m a t r a m no t v e ka t v a s a m kh y a y oge na / t a s y d h
pr t h a kt v e 'pe ks i t a t v a t , t i r oh i t a bh e d a r upa t v d c c a br a h m a no v y a t i r i kt a s a m kh y a bh a v a c c a / A c c or d -
i ng t o P a d d h a t i , t h e s i ngul a r i t y r e l a t i ng t o t h e or i gi na l s our c e B r a h m a n i s ne v e r of num e r i c a l v a l ue ;
i t i s not h i ng but t h e e x c l us i on of pl ur a l i t y ( bh e d a v y a v a c c h e d a m a t r a ) . O n t h i s poi nt s e e s e c t i on 4 .
1 4 - i s K S4 S5W 3E 1 2
"From t h e v i e w p oi n t of t h e u l t i ma t e t ru t h , h ow e v e r, t h e re i s n o si n g u l a r-
i t y w h ose c h a ra c t e ri st i c i s d i st i n g u i sh e d f rom t h a t of p l u ra l i t y . I t i s t h e
u l t i ma t e re a l i t y t h a t ma n i f e st s i t se l f a s d i f f e re n t i a t e d a n d u n i f i e d . "
V P 3. 6 . 24 : e ka t v a m d sd m sa kt i n d m n a n a t v a m v e t i ka l p a n e /
a v a st u p a t i t e j n d t v a sa t y a t o n a p a rd mrse t / /
"Con c e rn i n g t h e c a p a c i t i e s i n t h e f orm of t h e se [ d i re c t i on s ( d i s) ] , on e ma y
c on c e i v e t h e m a s u n i f i e d or a s d i f f e re n t i a t e d . On c e on e re a l i z e s t h a t t h e
c on c e p t i on i n e i t h e r w a y re f e rs t o t h e u n re a l i t y , on e c a n n ot re f l e xi v e l y
g ra sp i t i n re a l i t y . "
Th e t w of ol d n e ss b a se d u p on si n g u l a ri t y a n d p l u ra l i t y i s n ot h i n g more t h a n t h e c on -
c e p t u a l i z e d ( v i ka l p i t a ) , si n c e b ot h of t h e m a re t h e c on c e p t u a l i z e d i n t h e mse l v e s.
I n t h i s c on n e c t i on , l e t u s l ook a t t h e d i sc u ssi on a b ou t e xi st e n c e a n d n on - e xi st e n c e
( b h d v d b h d v a ) .
V P 3. 3. 6 0 : y a t h d b h d v a m u p d sri t y a t a d a b h d v o 'n u g a my a t e /
t a t h d b h d v a m u p d sri t y a t a d b h d v o 'p i a n u g a my a t e / /
"J u st a s t h e n on - e xi st e n c e of a t h i n g i s u n d e rst ood on t h e b a si s of i t s
e xi st e n c e , si mi l a rl y t h e e xi st e n c e of a t h i n g i s u n d e rst ood on t h e b a si s of
i t s n on - e xi st e n c e . "
V P 3. 3. 6 1 : n a b h d v o j d y a t e b h d v o n a i t i b h d v o 'n u p d kh y a t d m /
e ka smd d d t ma n o 'n a n y a u b h d v d b h d v a u v i ka l p i t a u / /
"N e i t h e r d oe s n on - e xi st e n c e b e c ome e xi st e n c e n or d oe s e xi st e n c e b e c ome
some t h i n g i n d e f i n a b l e i n i t se l f [ i . e . , n on - e xi st e n c e ] . E xi st e n c e a n d n on -
e xi st e n c e a re t h e c on c e p t u a l i z e d a n d a re n ot d i f f e re n t f rom t h e on e re a l i t y
( d t ma n ) . "
Th u s i t i s c l e a r t h a t f or B h a rt rh a ri w h a t i s su b j e c t t o re l a t i v i z a t i on i s n ot re a l
b u t t h e c on c e p t u a l i z e d a n d t h a t t h i n g s re l a t i v e t o e a c h ot h e r, b e i n g e q u a l l y t h e
c on c e p t u a l i z e d a n d b e i n g n ot d i st i n c t f rom t h e re a l i t y , a re n ot d i st i n g u i sh e d f rom
e a c h ot h e r. Th e sa me i s t ru e of B h a rt rh a ri 's v i e w of re a l i t y . H e st a t e s:
V P 3. 2. 7 : n a t a t t v d t a t t v a y or b h e d a i t i v rd d h e b h y a d g a ma h /
a t a t t v a m i t i ma n y a n t e t a t t v a m e v d v i c d ri t a m / /
B hartrhari on the N on- d is tinc tion be tw e e n R e al ity and U nre al ity ( O g aw a ) 1 5
"The trad ition hand e d d ow n from the e l d e rs d e c l are s that the re is no d is -
tinc tion be tw e e n the re al and the u nre al . The y hol d that the v e ry re al ity
[ w hic h is ac c e p te d ] ins ofar as it has not be e n anal y tic al l y inv e s tig ate d is
the u nre al ity . "
Ev e n the re al ity c annot s tand on its rig hts if it is re l ativ iz e d in te rms of anal y tic al
inv e s tig ation ( v ic ara) . O n this p oint H e l araj a' s re mark is note w orthy . H e s tate s :
H e l araj a on V P 3 . 2 . 7 : tathd c av iaritaramaniy am p ariks ay a v y av as thap itam
tattv am e v abhinnarn tirthika bhe d ad ars anav y av as thita bhe d atmakam attatv am
many ante . . . /
"Su c h be ing the c as e , the v e ry re al ity , i. e . , the u nity , w hic h is be l ov e d
ins ofar as it has not be e n anal y tic al l y inv e s tig ate d and w hic h is p os ite d
throu g h e xamination is c ons id e re d to be the u nre al ity , i. e . , the mu l tip l e
in e s s e nc e , by the p ag an w ho ad he re to s e e ing it as d iffe re ntiate d . "
What is c ons id e re d to be re al from one v ie w p oint c an be re g ard e d as u nre al from
anothe r v ie w p oint. O nc e s ome thing is anal y tic al l y inv e s tig ate d , it s hou l d be re l a-
tiv iz e d and l os e s its abs ol u te s tatu s . Thu s w e c an s e e that for B hartrhari the re is
a s harp d is tinc tion be tw e e n the re al ty w hic h is re l ativ iz e d , name l y , the p he nome nal
w orl d , and the re al ity w hic h is be y ond re l ativ iz ation or c onc e p tu al iz ation, name l y ,
B rahman. The u l timate l y re al , w hic h is ne v e r an obj e c t of anal y tic al inv e s tig ation
and he nc e be y ond re l ativ iz ation, ap p e ars s imp l y as re al and u nre al . 1 2
C onc e rning B hartrhari' s re l ativ is m, c ons e q u e ntl y , w e may s ay that its u nd e rl y ing
id e a is : I f one c onc e iv e s of a c e rtain thing as x, s ay , s aty a ( ' re al ' ) , the n room for
d u al is m ne c e s s aril y is g iv e n be c au s e x p re s u p p os e s non- x, s ay , as aty a ( ' u nre al ' ) ; in
ord e r to av oid fal l ing into d u al is m, the non- d is tinc tion be tw e e n x and non- x is to
be e s tabl is he d by g iv ing re l ativ e s tatu s to the m. The ir re l ativ e s tatu s is g u arante e d
by the fac t that the y are e q u al l y the ap p e aranc e s of the u l timate re al ity and the
c onc e p tu al iz e d in re l ation to it. I t is s u c h re l ativ is m that e nabl e s B hartrhari to
re nd e r e xis te nc e and non- e xis te nc e and othe r p airs of c ontrad ic tory thing s me re l y
p he nome nal and to re l e g ate the m to the p he nome nal re al m.
^ P ad d hati on V rtti ad V P l . l : tatha v ic arav is ay atv at s aty anrtay oh, v ic arav is ay atv ac c a
tas y as ambhav ah / y ato v ic aro bhinnad harmav is ay ah brahmanas c abhe d at s a nas ti /
1 6 4 -y K & f f i s f c f l F S E 1 2
3 . C a p a c i t i e s a nd a p p e a ra nc e s of Bra hm a n
I t i s on t he b a s i s of t he c a p a c i t i e s a t t ri b u t e d t o Bra hm a n t ha t a p a i r of t hi ng s
c ont ra di c t ory a nd re l a t i v e t o e a c h ot he r a p p e a rs . How t hi ng s i n t he p he nom e na l
worl d a re de p e nds u p on how t he c a p a c i t i e s of Bra hm a n a re . C ons i de r t he f ol l owi ng
s t a t e m e nt s :
V rt t i on V P 1 . 2 : e k a t v a s ydv i rodhe na s a b da t a t t v e b ra hm a ni s a m u c c i t d v i -
rodhi nya dt m a b hu t dh s a k t a ya h /
"I n Bra hm a n, t he W ord-p ri nc i p l e , t he re a re c om b i ne d, wi t hou t c ont ra -
di c t i ng i t s u ni t y, c a p a c i t i e s t ha t a re c ont ra di c t ory a nd i de nt i c a l wi t h i t . "
V rt t i on V P 1 . 2 : t a d e v a m a p rt ha k t v a m p rt ha k p ra t ya v a b hds a m dndm a p i
m i t ha h s a rv a s a k t i ndm /
"Thu s , i n t hi s wa y, a l l c a p a c i t i e s , t hou g h m a ni f e s t i ng t he m s e l v e s a s di f -
f e re nt i a t e d, a re not di f f e re nt f rom one a not he r. "
V rt t i on V P 1 A : e k a s ya hi b ra hm a na s t a t t v dnya t v db hydm s a t t v ds a t t v db hydm
c dni ru k t dv i rodhi s a k t yu p a g rdhya s yds a t ya ru p a p ra v i b hdg a s ya s v a p na v i j ndna -
p u ru s a v a d b a hi s t a t t v dh [ re a d: a b a hi s -t a t t v dh] p a ra s p a ra v i l a k s a nd b hok t rb hok -
t a v ya b hog a g ra nt ha yo v i v a rt a nt e /
"I nde e d, t he O ne , Bra hm a n, re c e i v e s t he c a p a c i t i e s whi c h a re de f i ne d
ne i t he r a s i de nt i c a l wi t h [ i t ] ( t a t t v a ) nor a s di f f e re nt f rom [ i t ] ( a nya t v a )
a nd ne i t he r a s e x i s t e nt ( s a t t v a ) nor a s non-e x i s t e nt ( a s a t t v a ) , a nd whi c h
a re not c ont ra di c t ory t o e a c h ot he r ( a v i rodhi n) . 1 3 I t s di v i s i ons a re u nre a l
( a s a t ya ru p a p ra v i b hdg a ) . I t a p p e a rs a s e nt i t i e s ( t a t t v a ) , whi c h a re not
e x i s t e nt s e p a ra t e l y f rom i t , a s doe s t he s e l f ( p u ru s a ) , whi c h i s a wa re ne s s
i n e s s e nc e , i n a dre a m i ng s t a t e ( s v a p na v i j ndna p u ru s a ) ; t he [ a p p e a ri ng
e nt i t i e s ] a re t he m u t u a l l y di f f e re nt i a t e d k not s , t ha t i s , t he e nj oye r, t he
e nj oye d a nd t he e nj oym e nt . "
F rom t he s e s t a t e m e nt s we m a y s a y t he f ol l owi ng a b ou t t he c a p a c i t i e s of Bra hm a n:
1 ) The i r m a ni f ol dne s s doe s not c ont ra di c t t he one ne s s of Bra hm a n ( a v i rodha ) .
2 ) The c a p a c i t i e s t ha t a re a s s u m e d t o b e i n Bra hm a n a re c ont ra di c t ory t o one
a not he r ( v i rodhi n) .
1 3 P a ddha t i on V rt t i on V P 1 . 2 : a v i rodhi nya h i t i , v i ru ddha k a rya p ra s a v a nu m i t a v i rodha a p y e k a s -
m i nn a dha re ya u g a p a dye na v rt t e r a v i rodhi nya h /
B h a r t r h a r i on t h e N on- d i s t i nc t i on be t w e e n R e a l i t y a nd U nr e a l i t y ( O g a w a ) 1 7
3 ) T h e y a r e i d e nt i c a l w i t h B r a h ma n ( d t ma bh ut a ) .
4 ) T h e c a p a c i t i e s of B r a h ma n a r e not d i f f e r e nt i a t e d f r om one a not h e r ( a p r t h a k t v a ) .
5 ) T h e c a p a c i t i e s a r e d e f i ne d ne i t h e r a s i d e nt i c a l w i t h B r a h ma n nor a s d i f f e r e nt
f r om i t a nd ne i t h e r a s e x i s t e nt nor a s non- e x i s t e nt , w h i c h i mp l i e s t h a t t h e y a r e unr e a l
( a s a t y a ) .1 *
6 ) T h e c a p a c i t i e s c ont r a d i c t or y t o one a not h e r p r od uc e t h e a p p e a r a nc e s d i f f e r e nt
f r om one a not h e r .
Wh a t i s t r ue f or t h e c a p a c i t i e s of B r a h ma n i s s a i d of t h e t h i ng s i n t h e p h e nome na l
w or l d a s w e l l . T h us i t h a s be e n s t a t e d :
V r t t i on V P 1 .9 : i h a i v a i k a s mi n s a r v a r up e br a h ma ni y a h p a r i k a l p a h s a
v i r ud d h a r up a bh i ma t e bh y o p a r i k a l p a nt a r e bh y o na bh i d y a t e /
"He r e [ i n our s y s t e m of t h oug h t ] , one c onc e p t ua l i z a t i on w i t h r e f e r e nc e t o
B r a h ma n, O ne a nd A l l , i s not d i f f e r e nt i a t e d f r om t h e ot h e r c onc e p t ua l -
i z a t i ons t h a t a r e be l i e v e d t o be c ont r a d i c t or y t o i t ."
T h i s i s f or t h e f ol l ow i ng r e a s on:
V r t t i on V P 1 .9 : y a t a s c a i t e s a r v a v i k a l p a t i t a e k a s mi nn a r t h e s a r v a s a k t i -
y og a d d r a s t f na m d a r s a na v i k a l p a h /
"For t h e s e [ d i f f e r e nt v i e w s r e f l e c t ] t h e [ d i f f e r e nt ] c onc e p t ua l i z a t i ons ( v i k a l p a )
of t h e a p p e a r a nc e s ( d a r s a na ) of a s i ng l e e nt i t y d e v oi d of a ny c onc e p t ua l -
i z a t i on; w i t h r e f e r e nc e t o i t , t h e r e oc c ur s uc h c onc e p t ua l i z a t i ons t o t h os e
w h o s e e i t ( d r a s t r ) s i nc e i t i s c onne c t e d w i t h a l l c a p a c i t i e s ."
1 4 He l a r a j a on K P 3 .3 .9 : s a k t ma m v a s t ur up a t v e t a t t v a ny a t v a v i c a r a na / y uj y a t e k a l p i t a na m t u
y uk t a d v a y a v i y uk t a t a / / ( "I f c a p a c i t i e s w e r e e s s e nt i a l l y r e a l , t h e n i t w oul d be p r op e r t o i nv e s t i -
g a t e w h e t h e r t h e y a r e i d e nt i c a l w i t h or d i f f e r e nt f r om [ t h e r e a l ] ; h ow e v e r , i t i s p r op e r t h a t t h e y
a r e d e s t i t ut e of bot h [ i d e nt i t y w i t h a nd d i f f e r e nc e f r om i t ] s i nc e t h e y a r e t h e c onc e p t ua l i z e d .")
P a d d h a t i on V r t t i a d V P 1 .1 : s a k t i na m c a s v a r up a t v e t a t t v a ny a t v a v i c a r a na / y uj y a t e k a l p i t a na m
t u y uk t a nv a y a v i v a r t a t a / / ( "I f c a p a c i t i e s w e r e t h e e s s e nc e [ of t h e r e a l i t y ] , i t w oul d be p r op e r t o
i nv e s t i g a t e w h e t h e r t h e y a r e i d e nt i c a l w i t h or d i f f e r e nt f r om [ i t ] ; h ow e v e r , i t i s p r op e r t h a t t h e y a r e
e x c l ud e d f r om t h e c onne c t i on w i t h [ bot h i d e nt i t y w i t h a nd d i f f e r e nc e f r om i t ] s i nc e t h e y a r e t h e c on-
c e p t ua l i z e d .") T h e s our c e of t h e v e r s e , t o w h i c h He l a r a j a a nd V r s a bh a g i v e a s l i g h t l y d i f f e r e nt r e a d -
i ng , i s not t r a c e a bl e . S e e T S 3 4 0 ( A t ma p a r T k s a ) : bh e d d bh e d a v i k a l p a s y a v a s t v a d h i s t h a na bh a v a t a h /
t a t t v a ny a t v a d y a ni r d e s o ni h s v a bh a v e s u y uj y a t e / / V r s a bh a i n P a d d h a t i on V r t t i a d V P 1 .1 i nt r od uc e s
t h e a r g ume nt a g a i ns t t h e r e a l i t y of c a p a c i t i e s a s f ol l ow s : na t a r h i s a k t a y a h s a nt i , t a t t v d ny a t v d bh y a m
a ni r v a c a ni y a t v d t , s a s a v i s a na v a t / ( [ T h e s i s ] C a p a c i t i e s a r e r e a l l y i ne x i s t e nt . [ R e a s on] B e c a us e of
be i ng i nd e f i na bl e e i t h e r a s i d e nt i c a l w i t h [ t h e r e a l i t y ] or a s d i f f e r e nt f r om i t . [ E x a mp l e ] L i k e a
r a bbi t ' s h or n.)
I t i s t o be not e d i n p a s s i ng t h a t w h e n i n V P 3 .3 .9 B h a r t r h a r i d e f i ne s t h e c a p a c i t y a s be i ng be y ond
d i f f e r e nc e a nd i d e nt i t y ( t a r n s a k t i m... bh e d d bh e d a v a t i k r a nt a m...) , h e na t ur a l l y me a ns t o s a y
t h a t i t i s unr e a l be c a us e of be i ng t h e c onc e p t ua l i z e d . T h i s p oi nt Hoube n [ 1 9 9 5 : 1 8 4 ] mi s s e s .
1 8 < i -y K & $ 5 f c W 3 E 1 2
One s ees and c o nc ep t u al i z es t h e o ne ab s o l u t e r eal i t y as t h e enj o yer and t h e enj o yed o r
as t h e k ar ak as and t h e ac t o f enj o yi ng du e t o i t s c ap ac i t i es . 1 5 T h es e ap p ear anc es o f i t
ar e eq u al l y u nr eal b ec au s e t h ei r c au s es t h em s el v es ar e u nr eal . T h e r el at i v e c o nc ep t s
o f t h e enj o yer and t h e enj o yed ar e m u t u al l y u ndi f f er ent i at ed s i nc e t h e c ap ac i t i es f o r
b r i ng i ng t h em ab o u t ar e no t di s t i nc t f r o m eac h o t h er . T h u s t h e no n-di f f er ent i at i o n
o f r el at i v e c o nc ep t s c o m es f r o m t h e f ac t t h at di f f er ent c o nc ep t u al i z at i o ns ar i s e w i t h
r ef er enc e t o a s o l e o b j ec t , Br ah m an, and, as a c o ns eq u enc e o f t h i s , t h ei r s t at u s i s
u nr eal i n r el at i o n t o Br ah m an.
W h at ev er ar e c o ns i der ed t o b e t h e r es u l t s o f Br ah m an's c ap ac i t i es ar e nei t h er
di f f er ent i at ed f r o m o ne ano t h er no r r eal , s i nc e t h e c ap ac i t i es ar e s u c h . On t h i s p o i nt
Bh ar t r h ar i s t at es as f o l l o w s :
V P 3 . 1 . 2 2 : s ar v as ak t ydt m ab h u t at v am eh as yai v et i ni r nayah /
b h dv dndm at m ab h edas ya k al p ana s ydd anar t h i k a / /
"T h e f i nal and u l t i m at e t r u t h ( ni r naya) i s t h at [ Br ah m an w h i c h i s ] t h e
One i s i dent i c al w i t h al l s ak t i s [ i t h as ] . [ S u c h b ei ng t h e c as e, ] i t w o u l d
b e p u r p o s el es s t o as s u m e t h at ent i t i es ar e i n es s enc e di f f er ent f r o m o ne
ano t h er . "
I f o ne c an ex p l ai n t h e v ar i et y o f t h e p h eno m enal w o r l d i n t er m s o f t h at o f t h e c ap ac -
i t i es o f Br ah m an, t h en o ne need no t g o o n t o as s u m e t h at t h i ng s i n t h e p h eno m enal
w o r l d ar e t h em s el v es di f f er ent i at ed.
4. S eem i ng i dent i t y b et w een Br ah m an and i t s ap p ear anc es
Fo r Bh ar t r h ar i r el at i v i s m c o ns i s t s i n no n-di f f er ent i at i o n o f r el at i v e c o nc ep t s , w h i c h
i s c l o s el y c o nnec t ed w i t h t h e t h es i s t h at al l w o r ds c o r r es p o ndent t o t h e u nr eal ap -
p ear anc es c o nv er g e u p o n t h e ab s o l u t e r eal i t y. Ho w i s i t p o s s i b l e t h at a w o r d g o es
b eyo nd u nr eal adj u nc t s and r ef er s t o t h e r eal i t y? T h e ans w er s eem s t o b e g i v en i n
t h e f o l l o w i ng k ar i k a:1 6
1 5 Fo r Bh ar t r h ar i t h e f u nc t i o n o f c o nc ep t u al k no w l edg e i s t o det er m i ne r ep r es ent at i o ns ap p ear i ng
t o m i nd ( ak dr ani r u p ana) . I t i s t o w h at h as b een det er m i ned ( ni r i i p i t ar t h a) b y c o nc ep t u al k no w l edg e
t h at t h e w o r d i s ap p l i ed. Fo r det ai l s s ee Og aw a [ 1 999] .
1 6 Br o nk h o r s t [ 1 991 :1 3 ] , ex p l ai ni ng V P 3 . 1 . 3 3 , s ays : "T h er e i s t h e di v i s i o n o f Br ah m an i nt o u ni -
v er s al s . T h es e u ni v er s al s ar e es s ent i al l y i dent i c al w i t h Br ah m an. . . " Ho u b en [ 1 995 : 97 ] , w h i l e
s u r v eyi ng t h e Dr av yas am u ddes a, s t at es : "I n V P 3 . 2 . 6 i t i s em p h as i z ed t h at , u l t i m at el y, t h es e f o r m s
t o o ar e i dent i c al w i t h r eal i t y ( o r S u b s t anc e) . " I t s eem s t o m e t h at t h ey o v er l o o k t h e di f f i c u l t y i n
h ar m o ni z i ng t h e i dent i t y b et w een Br ah m an and i t s adj u nc t s w i t h t h e u nr eal s t at u s o f t h e adj u nc t s .
B h a r t r h a r i on t h e N on- d i s t i nc t i on be t w e e n R e a l i t y a nd U nr e a l i t y ( O g a w a ) 1 9
V P 3 . 2 . 6 : t e s v a ka r e s u y a h s a bd a s t a t h d bh ut e s u v a r t a t e /
t a t t v a t m a ka t v a t t e na p i ni t y a m e v a bh i d h i y a t e / /
"Ev e n t h e w or d w h i c h d e not e s t h os e for m s of s uc h [ a n i m p e r m a ne nt
na t ur e ] r e fe r s t o t h e v e r y e t e r na l [ S ubs t a nc e ] , s i nc e t h e s e a r e e s s e nt i a l l y
i d e nt i c a l w i t h i t . "
I t i s s a i d t h a t t h e w or d r e fe r s t o B r a h m a n be c a us e of t h e i d e nt i t y be t w e e n B r a h m a n
a nd i t s a p p e a r a nc e s ( t a t t v a t m a ka t v a t ) . J ud g i ng fr om w h a t h a s be e n p oi nt e d out
c onc e r ni ng t h e c a p a c i t i e s of B r a h m a n, t h a t i s , t h e i r i d e nt i t y w i t h i t ( a t m a bh ut a ) ,
t h a t s e e m s t o be p l a us i bl e . How e v e r , i f B h a r t r h a r i h e r e i nt e nd e d r e a l l y t o s a y t h a t
t h e r e a l e nt i t y a nd i t s a p p e a r a nc e s a r e i d e nt i c a l w i t h e a c h ot h e r , h ow c oul d one s a y
t h a t t h e for m s t h e r e a l e nt i t y h a s a r e unr e a l ? A s h a s be e n s ug g e s t e d , t h e a p p e a r a nc e s
of t h e ul t i m a t e r e a l i t y , be i ng r e d uc e d t o t h e c a p a c i t i e s t h a t c a nnot be d e fi ne d e i t h e r
a s i d e nt i c a l w i t h t h e r e a l i t y or a s d i ffe r e nt fr om i t ( t a t t v a ny a t v d ni r v a c a m y a ) , a r e
unr e a l . I f t h e a p p e a r a nc e s w e r e i d e nt i c a l w i t h B r a h m a n, B r a h m a n c oul d not be one ;
on t h e ot h e r h a nd , i f t h e y w e r e d i s t i nc t fr om i t , d ua l i t y w oul d r e s ul t . 1 7 W h a t d oe s
B h a r t r h a r i m e a n by s a y i ng t h a t t h e a d j unc t s t o t h e r e a l i t y a r e i d e nt i c a l w i t h i t ?
Th e q ue s t i on r a i s e d h e r e c a nnot be w or ke d out w i t h out t a ki ng B h a r t r h a r i ' s not i on
of v i v a r t a i nt o c ons i d e r a t i on. I t i s w e l l know n t h a t B h a r t r h a r i h a s d e fi ne d v i v a r t a a s
fol l ow s :
V r t t i on V P l . l : e ka s y a t a t t v d d a p r a c y ut a s y a bh e d a nukd r e nd s a t y a v i bh a kt a ny a -
r up op a g r a h i t d v i v a r t a h /
"V i v a r t a m e a ns t h a t t h e one [ r e a l i t y ] , not d e p r i v e d of i t s e s s e nc e , a s s um e s
t h e for m s of t h os e ot h e r t h i ng s ( a ny a ) w h i c h a r e unr e a l ( a s a t y a ) a nd
d i s t i nc t fr om one a not h e r ( v i bh a kt a ) , w i t h s e e m i ng d i s t i nc t ne s s . "
V r s a bh a e x p l a i ns t h i s a s fol l ow s :
1 7 I n c onne c t i on w i t h B r a h m a n' s t r a ns c e nd e nc e of d i ffe r e nt i a t i on a nd uni fi c a t i on
( bh e d a s a m s a r g a s a m a t i kr a m a ) , V r s a bh a i n P a d d h a t i on V r t t i a d V P l . l s t a t e s a s fol l ow s :
t a r h i s a kt a y o y a d i br a h m a no v y a t i r i kt a h s a e v a s i d d h d nt a v y a l op a h , e ka m e v a y a d d m nd t a m i t i
s a r v d d v a i t a s y d s r i t a t v d t / a t h a v y a t i r i kt a s t a t a e ka s m d d br a h m a no ' v y a t i r e ka n na ne ka t a , t a t a s c a
na na p a r i ka l p ot p a t t y a bh a v a h , s a kt i bh y o v d na ny a t v a d br a h m a na e ka t v a v a d a v a s d d a h / ( "Th e n, i f t h e
c a p a c i t i e s w e r e d i s t i nc t fr om B r a h m a n, t h e v e r y e s t a bl i s h e d v i e w of our s w oul d be a ba nd one d
be c a us e w e a d m i t t h e non- d ua l i t y of e v e r y t h i ng , a s B h a r t r h a r i s t a t e s i n V P 1 . 2 t h a t B r a h m a n i s
m e m or i ze d i n t h e V e d a a s one ; but i f t h e y w e r e not d i s t i nc t fr om t h a t one B r a h m a n, [ t h e y ] w oul d
not be m a ni fol d be c a us e of i t s non- d i s t i nc t i on fr om t h e l a t t e r a nd h e nc e t h e r e w oul d not oc c ur
v a r i ous c onc e p t ua l i za t i ons ; or , t h e t h e or y t h a t B r a h m a n i s one w oul d be r ui ne d be c a us e of i t s
non- d i ffe r e nc e fr om t h e c a p a c i t i e s . ")
2 0 < > K S i t S 5 W ? E 1 2
P a d d h a t i on V r t t i a d V P 1 . 1 : b h e d a p r a t y a v a b h a s a y og y a t a p r a b h d v a d b h i n-
na mi v a p r a t y a v a - b h d s a t e t a d a b h i nna m a p i , t a d b h e d a m a nu k a r ot i v e t i
/ e t a d u k t a m b h a v a t i / e k a m v a s t u s v a r u p a m a p a r i t y a j a d b h e d a nu k d r e na
mi t h y a ne k a r u p a v a b h a s i t a m p r a t i p a nna m v i v r t t a m i v e t y u c y a t e / y a t h d
r a j j u d r a v y a m v i p a r y a s t a d a r s 'a nd nd m a c e t a nd r u p a m a j a h a t s a r p a r u p d nu -
k d r e na s a r p a r u p a m i t y u c y a t e /
"By me a ns of i t s p ot e nt i a l i t y of ma ni f e s t i ng i t s e l f a s ma ni f ol d , t h a t [ r e -
a l i t y ] ma ni f e s t s i t s e l f a s i f i t w e r e d i v i d e d a l t h ou g h i t i s t h e u nd i v i d e d ;
or , i t i nt i ma t e s d i v i s i on. T h e f ol l ow i ng i s me a nt : W h e n a s i ng l e r e a l i t y i s
u nd e r s t ood t o b e w h a t h a s a p p e a r e d , w i t h ou t a b a nd oni ng i t s ow n f or m,
a s t h e ma ni f ol d t h i ng s t h a t a r e f a l s e , i t i s s a i d of t h e e nt i t y t h a t i t h a s
a p p e a r e d a s i f i n a d i f f e r e nt f or m. For e xa mp l e , i t i s s a i d t h a t , f or t h os e
w h os e p e r c e p t i on i s d i s t or t e d , a s u b s t a nc e r op e a p p e a r s a s a s na k e w i t h
t h e s e e mi ng f or m of t h e s na k e , w i t h ou t g i v i ng u p i t s i ns e nt i e nt f or m. "
T h u s w h a t i s me a nt b y v i v a r t a i s t h a t t h e one a b s ol u t e r e a l i t y , w i t h ou t t r a ns c e nd i ng
i t s e s s e nc e , h e r e i t s one ne s s , a p p e a r s w i t h t h e r e s e mb l a nc e of t h e d i v i s i on w h i c h i s
u nr e a l b e c a u s e of b e i ng s u s c e p t i b l e of r e l a t i v i z a t i on. T a k i ng i nt o a c c ou nt t h a t t h e
s t r u c t u r e w h a t i s not x a p p e a r s a s i f x ( or w h a t i s w i t h [ w i t h ou t ] x a p p e a r s a s i f w i t h ou t
[ w i t h ] x) i s r e c og ni z e d w i t h r e f e r e nc e t o Br a h ma n, i t w i l l b e s u g g e s t e d t h a t v i v a r t a
s i mp l y me a ns t h a t s ome t h i ng a p p e a r s or oc c u r s ( v a r t a t e ) i n a d i f f e r e nt ( v i - ) f or m
f r om t h e one i n w h i c h t h e or i g i na l s ou r c e s t a y s ; t h e a p p e a r i ng f or ms d o not a f f e c t t h e
or i g i na l ( t a t t v d t a p r a c y u t a s y a ) , a s i s s u g g e s t e d b y t h e w or d i v a ( 'a s i f ) i n V r s a b h a 's
e xp a l a na t i on. 1 8 S u c h b e i ng t h e c a s e , t h e me a ni ng of v i v a r t a mi g h t b e f or mu l a t e d
a s f ol l ow s : V i v a r t a me a ns t h a t s ome t h i ng a p p e a r s a s i f i n a d i f f e r e nt f or m f r om i t s
or i g i na l one . T h e n, w i t h i n t h e s c h e me of v i v a r t a , i t i s na t u r a l t h a t t h e i d e nt i t y of t h e
a p p e a r a nc e s of t h e r e a l i t y w i t h t h a t r e a l i t y s h ou l d c a l l f or a n i nt e r p r e t a t i on s u i t a b l e
f or t h a t s c h e me .
T h e f ol l ow i ng t w o k a r k a s a r e t h e one s w h i c h t a l k a b ou t t h e r e l a t i ons h i p b e t w e e n
1 8 I t i s i mp or t a nt t h a t t h e not i on of v i v a r t a i s p a r a p h r a s e d w i t h t h e u s e of t h e w or d i v a i n t h e
s e ns e of u t p r e k s a ( 'i ma g i na t i on') . N ot e t h a t Bh a r t r h a r i s t a t e s i n V P 3 . 3 . 8 6 c d t h a t nob od y c a n b e
p r e v e nt e d f r om i ma g i ni ng t ot a l l y non- e xi s t e nt t h i ng s ( a v a s t u s v a p i not p r e k s a k a s y a c i t p r a t i b a d -
h y a t e ) . S e e a l s o P a d d h a t i on V r t t i a d V P \ . 2 4 - 2 6 : p u r u s a s t u s v a m u t p r e k s a m ni b a nd h a ni k r t y a
v i k a l p a n a na y a nt i .
I t ot a l l y a g r e e w i t h Hou b e n [ 1 9 9 5 : 3 0 8 - 3 0 9 ] w h o p r op os e s t h e ne w t r a ns l a t i on of v i v a r t a t e a s
'b e h a v e s i n v a r i ou s w a y s ' i n or d e r t o s h ow t h a t v i v a r t a f or Bh a r t r h a r i h a s a w i d e r s e ns e t h a n t h a t
i n c l a s s i c a l A d v a i d a V e d a nt a .
l a + . . . a + . | ea . a . N ea- 1 | . | a: . | ea |. . w . . a | . + | | . + a1 | a. . + | | . 0 + w + '
. a . . . + | | . + a1 | . + . + . + a: . . | a w a | : a l a + . . . a + . | ae. | ea e| | + . . + + | e. m a| + . . 1
+ |e . | : | . + . | . . a
\ | ' . . + . a 1 | |1 . + . a1 a1 m . + . . . . + a. + m + + m |a + + a /
. + 1 + . m . + : + . + . . + . . + m + . + a. + m + . + 1 + . m + |+ m //
' l a . a . + m . w + . | . | a. . . . | | m e | || . . a + . . a . . . |. . a . | e. m e|
. a . . . + a | e. m + . | ea | a . a . . . + | | . J a + . . . + | | . w a | : a | + | e| a. . | ae.
| 1 . a. | : + | w | . a . a . m + . + . + | | | 1 . a. | : + | w | . a . a . m '
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+ . + 1 + . m + |+ m + . + . + | | | . w . . . e . + 1 + . m . + l a + . . . a + . | . ea . a . e. a . . a + a1 .
. + . . | a \ | ' . a + . . a . . . | ae . + . + . | ea |. . w . . a l . + a m + a + a1 : + + : | . | . . . a + .
| . + . + . + . a ea a 1 | . | a: . | . em . a . . : + + : | . | . . + a1 . a + . | . + . + . + 1 | . | a: .
. a | a | | . . a. e| | . . . . + | : + + : | . | .
\ | ' . . |+ m . + + 1 1 m a1 . + m |a | aa+ + |. | + 1 . + 1 . /
+ . . a + |. . | + |. | |a + a . . a + |. . a. + + . . + . . //
' l . + a m + a | m . m e. | z. 1 | a . a . \ . 1 + + ea. l . + . + . + | | 1 | . | a: . | . em
: + + : | . | . + | . a ea a ae. 1 | . | a: . . | | . . a. e| | . . . . + | : + + : | . | . '
\ : : e. 1 | a . e . a | |+ . | |+ . l . + a m + a w a | : a | ae. . + . + . . | . em : + + : | . | . + . + . +
| | 1 | . | a: . | . em . a . m + . . a + |. . | . . a + |. . a. +
J a . | m e. . + a. e| a. . e ae. . a . . . + . . . a + . l . + a m + a | + | 1 . e |. ae. | 1 . a. | : + | w | . a
| . + . + . + a: . + a1 . a + . | . | + | 1 . e |. ae. . + . + . . | . em | . : + + : | . | . J a . . . . m
. e e + + | a . . a . . | a: | | . . a + . l . + a m + a | |. ea1 1 | | | . . . a: . + a1 | 1 . a. | . | ew . . . .
w . a + . . e : ea | 1 . . . a + . . a | . | a: | | . | . . | | . : . . 1 | a l a + . . . a + . | . \ | + a+ . | ea e| . a .
m + aa. . | a w a | : a . a . . . + | | . + . + . | a . a . . |+ . | |+ \ | . a . : | + | . . | . . . a: . . e
l a + . . . a + . | 1 . : . | . | ea e| | . + ae. |. | a . + . + . . | . em | . : + + : | . | . . \ . + |a +
| + : . . a . + m . 1 | | | | : a| . . . . . | a e . . | . | | | a . a . | e| | ew | a | a. . . . . . + . | ea.
| + 1 1 a + . | ea \ | ' . a+ aa + |. | a . + . . + a + . + + . | |. + m + 1 |a + . + a / . + .
|| m a: + . . + . . a + |. . | | . | / + . . a + |. + m a+ . |+ . + m . + | . a |a . 1 + . + . | -
. 1 a + a . . . a + |. . a. + | . | . |+ . + . + . | . 1 a + a / . + 1 a|a + + + m + . | |. + m +
1 |a 1 . + | . + | . e1 a + a /
\ : : e. 1 | a . e | . | + . + , + . . a . . . a: . e| . a . + 1 , aa: . | . a . . . + | | . + a1 . a . + 1 , aa: . + . . a. . . . a .
. . a: . e| . a . . . + | | . J a . . . + | | . + . + . + + 1 , aa: . + a1 ae. | : . . . + | . | + . + , + ea L| ' o.
. + . . + m + . m + a a+ 1 a | a+ m . a+ . a . + 1 . m + a+ a /
2 2 < < V YWM^M% 12
" [ Q u e s t i o n ] A s f o r c a p a c i t i e s , i t h a s b e e n e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e y t r a n s c e n d
b o t h t h e i d e n t i t y w i t h [ B r a h m a n ] a n d t h e d i f f e r e n c e f r o m i t . A n d y e t
B h a r t r h a r i s t a t e s , " e ve n i f [ B r a h m a n i s ] n o t d i s t i n c t [ f r o m c a p a c i t i e s ]
( a p r t h a k t ve ' p i ) . Ho w i s i t t o b e j u s t i f i e d ? " [ A n s w e r ] [ T h e w o r d ] ' a p r t h a k -
t va ' d o e s n o t m e a n i d e n t i t y ( e k a t va ) b u t t h e n e g a t i o n o f d i f f e r e n c e ( b h e d a -
p r a t i s e d h a ) . 2 0 B y s a y i n g , " i t a p p e a r s a s i f d i s t i n c t f r o m t h e m " ( p r t h a k -
t ve n e va ) , h e m e a n s t o i m p l y t h e n e g a t i o n o f i d e n t i t y ( e k a t va n i s e d h a ) .
T h u s t h e t r a n s c e n d e n c e o f t h e i d e n t i t y a n d t h e d i f f e r e n c e h a s b e e n e x -
p l a i n e d , s o t h a t t h e r e i s n o c o n t r a d i c t i o n . "
We s e e t h a t Vr s a b h a i s s o c a r e f u l i n i n t e r p r e t i n g B h a r t r h a r i ' s w o r d s t h a t m a y s i g n i f y
t h e i d e n t i t y o f B r a h m a n w i t h i t s a d j u n c t s t h a t t h e a b o ve - m e n t i o n e d p r i n c i p l e c a n
b e m a i n t a i n e d . A c c o r d i n g t o h i m , i t f o l l o w s : Wh e n B h a r t r h a r i s a y s t h a t t h e r e a l i t y
w h i c h i s n o t i d e n t i c a l w i t h i t s a p p e a r i n g f o r m s a p p e a r s a s i f i d e n t i c a l w i t h t h e m , h e
w i s h e s t o i m p l y b o t h t h e n e g a t i o n o f i d e n t i t y a n d t h a t o f d i f f e r e n c e ; w h e n h e s t a t e s
t h a t B r a h m a n w h i c h i s n o t s e p a r a t e f r o m c a p a c i t i e s a p p e a r s a s i f d i s t i n c t f r o m t h e m ,
h e m e a n s b o t h t h e n e g a t i o n o f d i f f e r e n c e a n d t h a t o f i d e n t i t y . 2 1 T h u s , w e m a y s a y
t h a t , w i t h r e f e r e n c e t o w h a t i s b e y o n d d i f f e r e n c e a n d i d e n t i t y , w h e n i t i s s a i d t h a t
i t i s i d e n t i c a l w i t h o r n o t d i s t i n c t f r o m i t s a d j u n c t s , t h e n e g a t i o n o f d i f f e r e n c e o r
s e p a r a t e n e s s f r o m t h e m i s i m p l i e d .
T o r e t u r n t o t h e p o i n t , i n VP 3 . 2 . 6 B h a r t r h a r i h a s s t a t e d t h a t t h e a p p e a r a n c e s o f
t h e r e a l i t y a r e i d e n t i c a l w i t h t h a t r e a l i t y ( t a t t va t m a k a t va ) . R e c a l l t h a t , r e g a r d i n g
e x i s t e n c e a n d n o n - e x i s t e n c e , i n VP 3 . 3 . 6 1 t h e y a r e s a i d t o b e t h e c o n c e p t u a l i z e d
a n d t o b e n o t d i f f e r e n t f r o m t h e u l t i m a t e r e a l i t y ( a n a n y a ) , a n d t h a t t h e c a p a c i t i e s
a t t r i b u t e d t o B r a h m a n a r e c o n s i d e r e d t o b e i d e n t i c a l w i t h i t ( a t m a b h u t a ) . Vr s a b h a
t a k e s t h e w o r d a t m a b h u t a h e r e a s i m p l y i n g t h e n e g a t i o n o f d i f f e r e n c e ( b h e d a n i r a s a ) ,
j u s t l i k e t h e w o r d a p r t h a k t va i n VP 1. 2 . 2 2 T h e r e f o r e , i n VP 3 . 2 . 6 , b y s a y i n g t h a t t h e
a p p e a r a n c e s o f t h e r e a l i t y a r e i d e n t i c a l w i t h t h a t r e a l i t y , B h a r t r h a r i i n t e n d s t o i m p l y
2 0 T h i s s h o w s t h a t Vr s a b h a t a k e s t h e n e g a t i ve p a r t i c l e o f ' a - p r t h a k t va ' a s p r a s a j y a p r a t i s e d h a
( ' n o n - a f f i r m a t i ve n e g a t i o n ' ) a n d n o t a s p a r y u d d s a ( ' a f f i r m a t i ve n e g a t i o n ' ) .
2 1I n VP 3 . 8 . 3 5 a b B h a r t r h a r i s t a t e s t h a t t h e r e a l i t y , b e i n g A l l , a p p e a r s a s i f o c c u r r i n g i n a s e q u e n c e
( s a r va r u p a s y a t a t t va s y a y a t k r a m e n e va d a r s a n a m ) . I f w e t a k e i n t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n Vr s a b h ' s i n t e r p r e -
t a t i o n h e r e , i t f o l l o w s t h a t t h e r e a l i t y i s b e y o n d s e q u e n c e a n d n o n - s e q u e n c e ( k r a m d k r a m a ) , w h i c h i s
c o n s o n a n c e w i t h h i s b a s i c s t a n d p o i n t o f B r a h m a n . Se e VP 3 . 3 . 8 4 , w h e r e i t i s s t a t e d t h a t s e q u e n c e
i s n o t d i f f e r e n t i a t e d f r o m n o n - s e q u e n c e ( k r a m a n n a y a u g a p a d y a s y a k a s c i d b h e d o ' s t i t a t t va t a h /
y a t h a i va b h a va n n d b h d va h k a s c i d a n y o ' va s i y a t e / / ) .
2 2 P a d d h a t i o n Vr t t i a d VP 1. 2 : d t m a b h u t d h i t i / t a d a vy a t i r i k t a s t o . i t i y d va t / b h e d a n i r a s a s c d y a m
n a i k a t va k a t h a n a m / He l a r a j a o n VP 3 . 2 . 6 : p a r a m d r t h a t a s t a t t vd d a vy a t i r e k d d u p d d h i n d m . . . /
B h a r t r h a r i on t h e N on- d i s t i nc t i on be t w e e n R e a l i t y a nd U nr e a l i t y ( O g a w a ) 2 3
t h e ne g a t i on of t h e i r d i f f e r e nc e f r om t h e r e a l i t y . T h e n w h a t d oe s t h e ne g a t i on of s u c h
a d i f f e r e nc e m e a n? C ons i d e r t h e f ol l ow i ng V r t t i :
V r t t i on V P 1 . 2 : a p r t h a k t v e ' p i s a k t i bh y a i t i / na k h a l u j d t i v y a k t i v y a v a h a r a -
v a d a ny a h k a s c i c c h a k t a y o br a h m a no v y a t i r e k i ny o v i d y a nt e /
" ' a p r t h a k t v e ' p i s a k t i bh y a h ?: t h e s a m e t h i ng a s w e s a y a bou t t h e u ni v e r s a l
a nd t h e i nd i v i d u a l i s t r u e of t h i s c a s e . T h a t i s , i t i s i nd e e d ne v e r t h e c a s e
t h a t t h e r e a r e c a p a c i t i e s w h i c h a r e d i f f e r e nt f r om B r a h m a n a nd t h a t t h e y
e x i s t s e p a r a t e l y f r om i t . "
As i s c l e a r l y s h ow n by t h i s V r t t i , w h a t t h e ne g a t i on of t h e d i f f e r e nc e of t h e a p p e a r -
a nc e s f r om t h e r e a l i t y m e a ns i s t h a t t h e y h a v e no e x i s t e nc e or r e a l i t y s e p a r a t e f r om
i t ( a v y a t i r e k a ) a nd not t h a t t h e y a r e one w i t h i t ( e k a t v a ) . I n t h i s c onne c t i on i t m u s t
be r e c a l l e d h e r e t h a t B h a r t r h a r i d e s c r i be s t h e a d j u nc t s i n t h e f or m of c a p a c i t i e s
a s i nd e f i na bl e a s e i t h e r e x i s t e nt or non- e x i s t e nt . Ac c or d i ng t o V r s a bh a , w h e n t h e y
c a nnot be d e t e r m i ne d s e p a r a t e l y f r om t h e r e a l i t y , i t i s not p os s i bl e t o d e f i ne t h e m
a s e x i s t e nt . 2 3 T h e r e f or e , f r om t h e v i e w p oi nt of v i v a r t a , a s s t a t e d i n V P 3 . 2 . 1 0 , t h a t
t h os e a p p e a r a nc e s h a v e s e e m i ng e x i s t e nc e a nd h a v e no e x i s t e nc e s e p a r a t e f r om t h e
r e a l i t y m e a ns t h a t t h e y a r e not h i ng bu t t h e c onc e p t u a l i z e d w i t h r e f e r e nc e t o t h e one
u l t i m a t e r e a l i t y B r a h m a n. T h u s w e c a n f i nd t h e r e a s on f or B r a h m a n be i ng a s ol e
r e f e r e nt of a l l w or d s i n t h a t v a r i ou s c onc e p t u a l i z a t i ons t a k e p l a c e p oi nt i ng t o B r a h -
m a nw h i c h i s i t s e l f be y ond c onc e p t u a l i z a t i on a nd v e r ba l i z a t i on2 4 bu t , by v i r t u e of
i t s c a p a c i t i e s , p a r a d ox i c a l l y , e nt e r s t h e s e m a nt i c f i e l d w i t h i t s d e l i m i t e d f or m s t o be
d e not e d by w or d s , r a t h e r t h a n i n t h e s i m p l e i d e nt i t y ( i n t h e s e ns e of e k a t v a ) be t w e e n
t h e r e a l i t y a nd i t s a d j u nc t s .
5 . C onc l u s i on
I t i s not u nt i l B r a h m a n a p p e a r s a s t h e p h e nom e na l w or l d ( v i v a r t a ) t h a t i t f a l l s
i nt o t h e r e a l m of v e r ba l i z a t i on. T h e r e a l m of v e r ba l i z a t i on i s t h e p h e nom e na l w or l d
i n w h i c h t h i ng s c ont r a d i c t or y t o e a c h ot h e r a r e r e l a t i v i z e d . T h e c a p a c i t i e s i m p os e d
u p on B r a h m a n, w h i c h a r e c ont r a d i c t or y t o one a not h e r a nd y e t w h i c h a r e c om bi ne d
2 3 P a d d h a t i on V r t t i a d V P 1 A: t a t h a s a t t v a s a t t v a bh y a m , t a d v y a t i r e k e na na v a d h a r y a m a na t v a t
s a t t v e nd v d c y d h , bh i nna k d r y od a y d nu m l y a m d na s a i t v a c c d s a t t v e nd v a c y d h / T h u s i t i s p l a i n t h a t t h e
' r e l a t i ona l ' d e f i ni t i on of t h e c a p a c i t y a s t a t t v d ny a t v a ni r v a c a ni y a i s c l os e l y r e l a t e d w i t h i t s ' ont ol og -
i c a l ' d e f i ni t i on a s s a t t v d s a t t v d ni r v a c a nx y a .
2 4 V P 3 . 2 . 8 a b: v i k a l p a r u p a m bh a j a t e t a t t v a m e v a v i k a l p i t a m /
2 4 - i l s K S 2 S 5 & W 2 E 1 2
i n i t , b r i n g a b o u t d i f f e r e n t c o n c e p t u a l i z a t i o n s . T h e s e c o n c e p t u a l i z a t i o n s , b e i n g r e l -
a t i v i z e d , a r e n o t m u t u a l l y d i s t i n g u i s h e d o n t h e b a s i s t h a t t h e i r o b j e c t s a r e n o t h i n g
b u t t h e u n r e a l a p p e a r a n c e s o f o n e a n d t h e s a m e r e a l i t y . V e r b a l i z a t i o n s s t e m f r o m t h e
c o n c e p t u a l i z a t i o n s . T h e r e f o r e , a l t h o u g h a l l w o r d s d e n o t e t h e i r d i s t i n c t o b j e c t s t h a t
a p p e a r i n c o n c e p t u a l k n o w l e d g e , t h e y r e f e r t o t h e u l t i m a t e r e a l i t y w i t h o u t d i s t i n c -
t i o n . I t i s t h e u l t i m a t e b e i n g , Br a h m a n , t h a t i s i n d e e d t h e u l t i m a t e o r i g i n a l s o u r c e
( p a r a p r a k r t i h ) o f v e r b a l i z a t i o n . I t i s a s i f o n e a n d t h e s a m e t h i n g w e r e s e e n a n d
s p o k e n o f d i f f e r e n t l y f r o m d i f f e r e n t a n g l e s .
No w l e t u s r e t u r n t o t h e q u e s t i o n o f t h e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n o f V P 3 . 3 . 8 7 . H e l a r a j a
c o m m e n t s o n t h i s k a r i k a a s f o l l o w s :
H e l a r a j a : s a r v a p a r i k a l p d t i t a m t a t t v a m s a m d v i s t a m s a r v d b h i h s a k t i b h i r
b r a h m a y a t h a y a t h a r n v y a v a h d r e b h a v a b h a v a r u p a t a y a t a t t a d u p d d h i k h a c i t a m
s a b d d h p r a t i p d d a y a n t i t y a b h d v d b h i d h d - y i n d m a p i b h a v a s a b d a i s t u l y a h s a m -
b a n d h o ' v i s e s d c c h a b d d n d m i t i p r a k a r a n a t d t p a r y a m u p a s a m h r t a m / e k a i t i
/ b h e d a s y d b h d v a n i r d s e n a p r a t i s i d d h a t v d t / a t a e v a n i t y a h , a b h d v d b h d v d t
k d r y a k d r a n a b h d v a s y a c a n i s e d h d t / s a b d a v d c y a t v e i t i / s a b d a v y a v a h d r d r -
t h a r n n i m i t t a s a p t a m y d p r a y o j a n a k a t h a n d t / b a h u r u p d h i t i k r a m d k r a m d d i -
r u p a t a y d p r d g u k t a y d d v a y a s y a i v a t a t t v a s y a p r a k d s a n d t / /
"T h e p u r p o r t o f t h i s s e c t i o n i s s u m m a r i z e d a s f o l l o w s :
Br a h m a n i s t h e r e a l i t y w h i c h i s b e y o n d a n y c o n c e p t u a l i z a t i o n s a n d w h i c h
i s e n d o w e d w i t h a l l c a p a c i t i e s . I n v e r b a l c o m m u n i c a t i o n w o r d s c o n v e y
Br a h m a n [ a p p e a r i n g ] , a c c o r d i n g t o c a s e s , a s e x i s t e n c e a n d n o n - e x i s t e n c e
t h r o u g h t h e a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h p a r t i c u l a r a d j u n c t s . T h e [ w o r d s ] w h i c h
d e n o t e n o n - e x i s t e n c e a n d t h e w o r d s w h i c h d e n o t e e x i s t e n c e e q u a l l y h a v e
t h e r e l a t i o n w i t h [ t h e i r m e a n i n g s ] s i n c e , a s w o r d s , t h e y a r e n o t d i s t i n c t
f r o m e a c h o t h e r .
l e k a h ' ( ' o n e ' ) : Be c a u s e d i v i s i o n i s d e n i e d t h r o u g h t h e r e j e c t i o n o f n o n -
e x i s t e n c e . P r e c i s e l y f o r t h i s r e a s o n i t i s p e r m a n e n t ( n i t y a ) : Be c a u s e
t h e r e i s n o n o n - e x i s t e n c e , a n d b e c a u s e t h e c a u s e - e f f e c t - r e l a t i o n i s d e n i e d .
' s a b d a v y a c y a t v e ' : t h i s m e a n s ' f o r t h e s a k e o f v e r b a l e x p r e s s i o n ' , s i n c e t h e
p u r p o s e i s s t a t e d b y u s i n g n i m i t t a s a p t a m i ( ' s e v e n t h t r i p l e t f o r c a u s e o r
p u r p o s e ' ) , ' b a h u r u p a h ' ( ' a s m a n i f o l d ' ) : T h e n o n - d u a l r e a l i t y a p p e a r s a s
B h a r t r h a r i on t h e N on- d i s t i nc t i on be t w e e n R e a l i t y a nd U nr e a l i t y ( O g a w a ) 2 5
t h e be for e - m e nt i one d [ t h i ng s r e l a t i v e t o e a c h ot h e r ] , s u c h a s s e qu e nc e a nd
non- s e qu e nc e ."
F i r s t of a l l , H e l a r a j a d e s c r i be s B r a h m a n a s be i ng be y ond a ny c onc e p t u a l i z a t i ons a nd
e nd ow e d w i t h a l l c a p a c i t i e s , fol l ow i ng V r t t i on V P 1 .1 .2 5 B y v i r t u e of i t s c a p a c i -
t i e s , B r a h m a n a p p e a r s a s d i ffe r e nt i a t e d w i t h i t s a d j u nc t s . I t s a p p e a r a nc e s a r e of
t h e na t u r e of e i t h e r e x i s t e nc e or non- e x i s t e nc e . I n s h or t , j u s t a s t h e u l t i m a t e r e a l -
i t y m a ni fe s t s i t s e l f a s d i ffe r e nt i a t e d a nd u ni fi e d ( V P 3 .7 .3 9 c d : p r t h a k t v a i k a t v a r u p e na
t a t t v a m e v a p r a k a s ' a t e ) , s i m i l a r l y , B r a h m a n a p p e a r s a s e x i s t e nc e a nd non- e x i s t e nc e ,
t h e c a t e g or i e s u nd e r w h i c h a l l t h i ng s i n t h e p h e nom e na l w or l d c om e . Wor d s r e fe r t o
B r a h m a n i n i t s d e l i m i t e d for m , i n t h e for m of e x i s t e nc e a nd non- e x i s t e nc e ( br a h m a
bh a v d bh d v a r u p a t a y a s ' a bd a h p r a t i p d d a y a nt i ) . Mor e ov e r , i t i s s a i d t h a t t h e non- d u a l
r e a l i t y a p p e a r s a s s e qu e nc e a nd non- s e qu e nc e ( k r a m d k r a m d d i r u p a t a y d a d v a y a s y a i v a
t a t t v a s y a p r a k a s a na t ) . T h e s e qu e nc e a nd non- s e qu e nc e or t h e a bs e nc e of s e qu e nc e
c om e u nd e r t h e c a t e g or i e s of e x i s t e nc e a nd non- e x i s t e nc e , r e s p e c t i v e l y . T h e r e for e ,
i t i s obv i ou s t h a t h e t a k e s t h e p h r a s e s a d a s a d d t m a k a not a s a qu a l i fi e r of t h e w or d
a r t h a bu t a s t h a t of t h e w or d ba h u r u p a . Wh a t i s of t h e na t u r e of e x i s t e nc e a nd
non- e x i s t e nc e i s not B r a h m a n bu t t h e p h e nom e na l w or l d . Su p p os e t h a t B r a h m a n i s
of t h e na t u r e of e x i s t e nc e a nd non- e x i s t e nc e ; t h e n fr om t h e v i e w p oi nt of v i v a r t a , i t
w ou l d fol l ow t h a t B r a h m a n a p p e a r s a s i f i t w e r e d e v oi d of t h e na t u r e of e x i s t e nc e a nd
non- e x i s t e nc e a nd h e nc e t h a t t h e p h e nom e na l w or l d i s not of t h e na t u r e of e x i s t e nc e
a nd non- e x i s t e nc e . T h i s i s a bs u r d . I n v e r ba l u s a g e , w e u s e t h e w or d s w h i c h d e not e
e x i s t e nc e a nd t h e one s w h i c h d e not e non- e x i s t e nc e .2 6
2 5 V r t t i on V P 1 .1 : s a r v a v i k a l p a t t t a t a t t v a m bh e d a s a m s a r g a s a m a t i k r a m e na s a m a v i s t a m s a r v a bh i h
s a k t i bh i r ... br a h m e t i p r a t i j na y a t e /
2 6 H ou be n [ 1 9 9 5 : 3 1 5 - 3 1 6 ] obs e r v e s : "H e l a r a j a , t oo, i nt e r p r e t s t h e ' e x i s t e nt a nd non- e x i s t e nt '
[ s a d - a s a d \ a s a r e fe r e nc e t o bh a v a a nd a bh a v a . T h e s e , h ow e v e r , h e d oe s not i nt e r p r e t a s a p a i r of
d i c h ot om ou s l y op p os e d not i ons , bu t a s a [ s i c ] a n a s y m m e t r i c p a i r of w h i c h one , bh a v a , r e m a i ns a s
u l t i m a t e l y t r u e . F or , h e e x p l a i ns t h a t t h e t h i ng - m e a nt e x p r e s s e d i n l a ng u a g e i s e k a ' one ' "be c a u s e
d i v i s i on i s d e ni e d t h r ou g h t h e r e j e c t i on of non- e x i s t e nc e " ( V P I l i a : 1 8 0 .1 6 - 1 7 ) a nd i t i s ni t y a
' p e r m a ne nt ' "be c a u s e t h e r e i s no non- e x i s t e nc e , a nd be c a u s e t h e c a u s e - a nd - e ffe c t r e l a t i on i s d e ni e d "
( V P I l i a : 1 8 0 .1 7 - 1 8 ) ." N o d ou bt H e l a r a j a i nt e r p r e t s t h e ' e x i s t e nt a nd non- e x i s t e nt ' ( s a d - a s a d ) a s
a p a i r of d i c h ot om ou s l y op p os e d not i ons , a s i s c l e a r fr om h i s c om m e nt a r y . T h e m a i n r e a s on for
H ou be n' s m i s u nd e r s t a nd i ng i s t h a t h e t a k e s t h e c l a u s e ' s a d a s a d a t m a k a h ' a s a qu a l i fi e r of t h e w or d
' a r t / i a / i ' ( ' T h i ng - m e a nt ' , a c c or d i ng t o h i m ) . Wh a t i s of t h e na t u r e of t h e e x i s t e nt a nd non- e x i s t e nt
i s not B r a h m a n bu t t h e p h e nom e na l w or l d . F or B r a h m a n c a nnot c ont a i n a ny c ont r a d i c t i on i n i t .
Ev e n g r a nt e d t h a t , a s H ou be n be l i e v e s , H e l a r a j a i nt e r p r e t s bh a v a a nd a bh a v a a s a n a s y m m e t r i c
p a i r , t h a t c l a u s e s h ou l d qu a l i fy t h e w or d ' ba fi u r u p a h ' . F or , a s i s c l e a r fr om t h e a r g u m e nt a t i on on
t h e t h e m e t h a t a l l w or d s r e fe r t o B r a h m a n, s u c h a n a s y m m e t r i c p a i r i s t a k e n i nt o c ons i d e r a t i on
i n r e g a r d t o t h e s e m a nt i c fi e l d . Se e V P 3 .1 .3 2 . H e l a r a j a i s fu l l y a w a r e t h a t B r a h m a n h a s a bs ol u t e
one ne s s a nd e x i s t e nc e , s o t h a t h e m a k e s t h e s t a t e m e nt s a s qu ot e d by H ou be n.
2 6 4 ^ K S S i S F S E 1 2
H e l a r a j a a s k s us t o t a k e t h e s e v e n t h t r i p l e t o f t h e w o r d s a b da v dc y a t v e a s de n o t i n g
t h e c a us e o r p ur p o s e ( n i m i t t a s a p t a m f ) . T h i s i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t . R e c a l l t h e C r o w
m o de l w h i c h h a s b e e n e m p l o y e d i n o r de r t o i l l us t r a t e t h e v i e w t h a t e v e r y w o r d r e f e r s
t o S ub s t a n c e . A c c o r di n g t o t h i s m o de l , t h e de l i m i t i n g f a c t o r s o f Br a h m a n h a v e b e e n
r e ga r de d a s t h e c a us e ( n i m i t t a ) f o r t h e r e f e r e n c e o f t h e w o r d t o i t . T h e de l i m i t a t i o n
o f Br a h m a n t h r o ugh i t s c o n c e p t ua l i z a t i o n i s n e c e s s a r y f o r i t s v e r b a l i z a t i o n . I n t h i s
c o n n e c t i o n , V T 3 . 2 . 1 6 i s t o b e t a k e n i n t o a c c o un t w h i c h s a y s t h a t w h a t a l l w o r ds r e f e r
t o i s t h e ul t i m a t e o r i gi n a l s o ur c e , Br a h m a n , a n d t h a t Br a h m a n a p p e a r s a s t h e w o r d
a n d t h e m e a n i n g i n o r de r t o b e r e f e r r e d t o b y t h e w o r d. F o r a l l w o r ds t h e i r ul t i m a t e
r e f e r e n t i s o n e ( e k a ) , Br a h m a n . I n t h i s s e n s e i t i s n o t b y c h a n c e t h a t Bh a r t r h a r i us e s
t h e w o r d a r t h a h e r e . H e de a l s w i t h Br a h m a n i n t h e c o n t e x t o f s a b da r t h a ( ' w o r d a n d
m e a n i n g' ) .
T h us V P3 . 3 . 8 7 s h o ul d b e i n t e r p r e t e d a s f o l l o w s :
V P3 . 3 . 8 7 : t a s m dc c h a k t i v i b h dge n a n i t y a h s a da s a da t m a k a h /
e k o ' r t h a h s a b da v dc y a t v e b a h ur up a h p r a k ds a t e / /
" T h e r e f o r e , i n o r de r t o b e c o n v e y e d b y w o r ds , t h e o n e , p e r m a n e n t m e a n -
i n g a p p e a r s , o n t h e b a s i s o f i t s di f f e r e n t c a p a c i t i e s , a s m a n i f o l d t h i n gs
( b a h ur up a ) w h i c h a r e o f t h e n a t ur e o f e x i s t e n c e a n d n o n -e x i s t e n c e . "
A b b r e v i a t i o n s a n d Bi b l i o gr a p h y
Br o n k h o r s t , J o h a n n e s
[ 1 9 9 1 ] :" S T U D I E S ON BH A R T R H A R I , 3 : Bh a r t r h a r i o n s p h o t a a n d un i v e r s a l s . "
A s i a t i s c h e S t udi e n / E t ude s A s i a t i q ue s X L V . l : 5 -1 8 .
H o ub e n , J a n E . M
[ 1 9 9 5 ] : T h e S a m b a n dh a -s a m udde s a ( C h a p t e r o n R e l a t i o n ) a n d Bh a r t r h a r i ' s Ph i l o s o p h y
o f L a n gua ge : A S t udy o f Bh a r t r h a r i S a m b a n dh a -s a m udde s a i n t h e c o n t e x t o f
t h e V dk y a p a di y a w i t h a t r a n s l a t i o n o f H e l dr a j a ' s c o m m e n t a r y Pr a k i r n a -
p r a k ds a . Go n da I n do l o gi c a l S t udi e s , V o l . I I . Gr o n i n ge n : E gb e r t F o r s t e i n .
K r i s h n a m a c h a r y a , E m b a r
[ 1 9 2 4 , 1 9 8 4 ( r e p r i n t ) ] : T a t t v a s a n gr a h a o f S dn t a r a k s i t a , w i t h t h e C o m m e n t a r y o f
K a m a l a s i l a . V o l . 1 . Ba r o da : l Or i e n t a l I n s t i t ut e .
Oga w a , H i de y o
[ 1 9 9 9 ] : " Bh a r t r h a r i o n R e p r e s e n t a t i o n s ( b uddh y a k a r a ) . " I n D h a r m a k i r t i ' s T h o ugh t a n d
I t s I m p a c t o n I n di a n a n d T i b e t a n Ph i l o s o p h y ( Pr o c e e di n gs o f t h e T h i r d I n t e r -
B h a r t r h a r i on t h e N on- d i s t i nc t i on be t we e n R e a l i t y a nd U nr e a l i t y ( O g a wa ) 2 7
na t i ona l D h a r m a k i r t i C onfe r e nc e , H i r os h i m a , N ove m be r 4- 6, 1 9 9 7 ) , p p . 2 67 -
2 8 6. E d . Sh or y u Ka t s ur a . W i e n: V e r l a g d e r O s t e r r e i c h i s c h e n Ak a d e m i e d e r
W i s s e ns c h a ft e n.
R a g h una t h a Sa r m a
[ 1 9 7 4, 1 9 9 1 2 ] : V d k y a p a d i y a m , P a r t H I ( P a d a Kd nd a , J d t i , D r a vy a a nd Sa m ba nd h a
a m ud d e s 'a ) wi t h t h e C om m e nt a r i e s 'P r a k d s 'a ' by Sr i H e l d r d j a a nd 'Am bd k a r t r i '
by 'P a d m a r s i ' P t . R a g h una t h a Sa r m d . Sa r a s va t I B h a va na Gr a nt h a m a l a , 9 1 .
V a r a na s i : Sa m p ur na na nd Sa ns k r i t U ni ve r s i t y .
R a u, W i l h e l m
[ 1 9 7 7 ] : B h a r t r h a r i s V d k y a p a d i y a : D i e M ul a k d r i k d s na c h d e n H a nd s c h r i ft e n h e r a us -
g e g e be n und m i t e i ne m P d d a - Ind e x ve r s e h e n. Abh a nd l ung e n fur d i e Kund e
d e s M or g e nl a nd e s X L II, 4. W i e s ba d e n: Fr a nz St e i ne r V e r l a g .
Subr a m a ni a Iy e r , K. A
[ 1 9 63 ] : V d k y a p a d i y a of B h a r t r h a r i wi t h t h e C om m e nt a r y of H e l d r d j a , Kd nd a III, P a r t
1 . D e c c a n C ol l e g e M onog r a p h Se r i e s , 2 1 . P oona : D e c c a n C ol l e g e .
[ 1 9 66] : V d k y a p a d i y a ofB h a r t r h a r i wi t h t h e C om m e nt a r i e s V r t t i a nd P a d d h a t i of V r s a bh a
d e va . D e c c a n C ol l e g e M onog r a p h Se r i e s , 3 2 . P oona : D e c c a n C ol l e g e .
[ 1 9 7 1 ] : T h e V d k y a p a d i y a of B h a r t r h a r i , C h a p t e r III, p t . i ; E ng l i s h t r a ns l a t i on. D e c c a n
C ol l e g e B ui l d i ng C e nt e na r y a nd Si l ve r J ubi l e e Se r i e s , 7 1 . P oona : D e c c a n
C ol l e g e .
V e d a vr a t a .
[ 1 9 62 - 63 ] Sr i bh a g a va t p a t a nj a l i vi r a c i t a m V y d k a r a na - M a h d bh d s y a m ( Sr i k a i y a t a k r t a p r a d i -
p e na - nd g oj i bh a t t a k r t e na - bh d s y a p r a d i p od y ot e na c a vi bh us i t a m ) . 5 vol um e s .
Gur uk ul J h a j j a r ( R oh a t a k ) : H a i y a na - Sa h i t y a - Sa m s t h a na m .
H e l a r a j a s e e Subr a m a ni a Iy e r [ 1 9 63 ] .
M B h P a t a fi j a l i 's V y d k a r a na m a h d bh d s y a . Se e V e d a vr a t a [ 1 9 62 - 63 ] .
P a d d h a t i s e e Subr a m a ni a Iy e r [ 1 9 66] .
T S Sa nt a r a k s i t a 's T a t t va s a m g r a h a . Se e Kr i s h na m a c h a r y a [ 1 9 2 4] .
V P s e e R a u, Subr a m a ni a Iy e r . [ Ka r i k a num be r s a r e g i ve n a c c or d i ng t o R a u's
e d i t i on. ]
V r t t i s e e Subr a m a ni a Iy e r [ 1 9 66] .
( k e y wor d s : B h a r t r h a r i , s a k t i , bh e d a s a m s a r g a )