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Sarvopeta cha taddarsanat
II.1.30 (164)
And (Brahman is) endowed with
all (powers), because it is seen (from the scriptures).
Sarvopeta: endowed with all powers, all-powerful; Cha: also,
and; Taddarsanat: because it is seen (from the scriptures).
(Sarva: all; Upeta: endowed with, possessed with; Tat:
that, the possession of such powers.)
The objection in Sutra 26 is further refuted.
Brahman is Omnipotent as is clear from the scriptures. Hence it is perfectly
within His powers to manifest Himself as the world and to be at the
same time beyond it.
The objector (Purvapakshin) says: We see that men who have a physical
body are endowed with powers. But Brahman has no body. Hence He cannot
be in the possesssion of such powers.
This has no force. This Sutra gives proof of Brahman being endowed with
Maya Sakti. Various scriptural texts declare that Brahman possesses
all powers. "He to whom all actions, desires, all odours, all tastes
belong, he who embraces all this, who never speaks, and is never surprised"
(Chh. Up. III.14.4). "He who desires what is true and imagines what
is true" (Chh. Up. VIII.7.1). "He who knows all in its totality and
cognises all in its details" (Mun. Up. I.1.9). "By the command of that
Imperishable, O Gargi, sun and moon stand apart" (Bri. Up. III.8.9).
"The great Lord is the Mayin (the Ruler of Maya)" (Svet. Up. IV.10)
and other similar passages.
Vikaranatvanneti
chet taduktam II.1.31 (165)
If it be said that because (Brahman)
is devoid of organs, (it is) not (able to create), (we reply that) this
has already been explained.
Vikaranatvat: because
of want of organs of action and perception; Na: not; Iti:
thus; Chet: if; Tat: that, that objection; Uktam:
has been explained or answered.
Another objection to Brahman being the cause of the world is refuted.
The opponent says: "Brahman is destitute of organs. Hence, though He
is all-powerful, He cannot create. Scripture declares, "He is without
eyes, without ears, without speech, without mind" (Bri. Up. III.8.8).
Further Srutis say, "Not this, Not this." This precludes all attributes.
We know from Mantras and Arthavadas, etc., that the gods and other intelligent
beings, though endowed with all powers, are able to create because they
are furnished with bodily instruments of action.
The Sutra consists of an objection and its reply. The objection portion
is 'Vikaranatvanneti chet' and the reply portion is 'Taduktam.'
Even though Brahman has no eyes or ears, or hands or feet, He is Omnipotent.
That has been explained above in Sutras II.1.4 and II.1.25. He assumes
different forms through Avidya or Maya. With respect to Brahman, the
scripture alone is the authority, but not reason. The scripture declares
that Brahman, though destitute of organs, possesses all capacities and
powers, "Grasps without hands, moves swiftly without feet, sees without
eyes and hears without ears" (Svet. Up. III.19). Though Brahman is devoid
of all attributes, yet He is endowed with all powers through Avidya
or Maya.
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