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Bhoktrapatteravibhagaschet syallokavat
II.1.13 (147)
If it be said (that if Brahman
be the cause then) on account of (the objects of enjoyment) turning
into the enjoyer, non-distinction (between the enjoyer and the objects
enjoyed) would result, we reply that such distinction may exist nevertheless
as is experienced commonly in the world.
Bhoktri: one who enjoys and suffers; Apatteh: from the objections,
if it be objected; Avibhagah: non-distinction; Chet: if
it be said; Syat: may exist; Lokavat: as is experienced
in the world.
Another objection based on reasoning is raised against Brahman being
the cause and refuted.
The distinction between the enjoyer (the Jiva or the individual soul)
and the objects of enjoyment is well known from ordinary experience.
The enjoyers are intelligent, embodied souls while sound and the like
are the objects of enjoyment. Ramakrishna for instance, is an enjoyer
while the mango which he eats is an object of enjoyment. If Brahman
is the material cause of the universe, then the world, the effect would
be non-different from Brahman. The Jiva and Brahman being identical,
the difference between the subject and the object would be annihilated,
as the one would pass over into the other. Consequently, Brahman cannot
be held to be the material cause of the universe, as it would lead to
the sublation of the well-established distinction between the enjoyer
and the objects of enjoyment.
If you say that the doctrine of Brahman being the cause of the world
will lead to the enjoyer or spirit becoming one with the object of enjoyment
(matter), we reply that such differentiation is appropriate in our case
also, as instances are found in the universe in the case of ocean, its
waves, foams and bubbles and of the Sun and its light. The ocean waves,
foams and bubbles are one and yet diverse in the universe. Similarly,
are the Brahman and the world. He created and entered into the creation.
He is one with them, just as the ether in the sky and the ether in the
pot are one although they appear to be separate.
Therefore it is possible to have difference and non-difference in things
at the same time owing to the name and form. The enjoyers and the objects
of enjoyment do not pass over into each other and yet they are not different
from the Supreme Brahman. The enjoyers and objects of enjoyment are
not different from the viewpoint of Brahman but they are different as
enjoyers and objects enjoyed. There is no contradiction in this.
The conclusion is that the distinction of enjoyers and objects of enjoyment
is possible, although both are non-different from Brahman, their Highest
Cause, as the instance of the ocean, and its waves, foams and bubbles
demonstrates.
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