Shruti and the Logic

[nanda chandran]

>SureshvarAchArya, in his naiShkarmya-siddhi, has dealt with a topic that
>is relevant here. Please see 3-57 and 3-58 for a discussion on how
>anumAna (inference or reasoning in general) cannot give us a direct
>realization of the Self. Here Sureshvara is replying to an objection by
>an opponent who says that the Self which is supposed to be understood
>from the vAkya of the shruti (such as tattvamasi, ahaM brahmAsmi) can be
>attained by anumAna alone and hence, the vAkya is rendered irrelevant or
>without any content (ie. dispensable)  - " tadA vAkyAvagamyasyArthasya
>anuditAnastamitaviGYAnamAtrasvabhAsya anumAnenaiva pratipannatvAt.h
>punarapi vAkyasya nirviShayatvaprasaN^gaH". Sureshvara essentially argues
>that direct realization of the Self is only through the vAkya, not by
>anumAna.

Very true. Yes, inferential reasoning by analyzing the three states of
waking, dream and deep sleep can atbest point to something which survives
these three states without any change to itself and thus facilitates the
continuity of our identity. But whether this thing can be relevant to
salvation - as the end to human suffering, escape from the cycle of
rebirths, immortality, the end and goal of life and ultimate happiness - is
to be learnt from the shruti alone.

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