BY: SUN STAFF
Jan 21, CANADA (SUN) —
Tattva Sandarbha
by Srila Jiva Goswami
SECTION FIFTY-FIVE
Thus it is said (Sri Pippalayana to King Nimi):
The inference called anvaya (positive co-existence) and vyatireka (negative co-existence) is of four types. The first is the difference between the object that undergoes birth and death and the object that does not. The second is based on the distinction between the seer and the seen. The third, on the division between the witness and the witnessed. The fourth, easily understandable, is based on the difference between the miserable and the object of love.
Sri Jiva Toshani Commentary
The conclusion of the last two sections is summarized here for the easy comprehension of the reader. According to Srila Baladeva Vidyabhushana the word tarka (lit. reasoning or logic) here means inference, which is one section of logic. Here inference applies either positively or negatively. Positively in the sense that when there is combination or union between the soul and the body the changes are perceived by the soul. Negatively in the sense that changes in the soul and changelessness in the body is never perceived. Thus by both positive and negative analysis it is inferred that the body and the soul are distinct from each other. A similar analysis can be applied to the other three points given in this section.
Here logic is used to infer the difference between the body and the soul, which is the first rung in the ladder of understanding transcendence. Logic is also used to infer the difference between the soul and the Supersoul, which is the foundation of bhakti-yoga. But this is not dry logic, based on a limited mortal's mental wrangling, rather it is based on analysis of the Bhagavatam verses, with an aim to enter into a more complete understanding. Sincere souls who seek to distinguish reality from illusion are encouraged to use their intellect for such purposes.
Only the body takes birth and dies. The soul perceives these changes, but the body is the cause of all the miseries of the soul. The witness for these activities without experiencing them is the Supersoul. Due to false ego, the soul, although in reality aloof from the body, becomes attached to the body and its by-products and thus suffers or enjoys the happiness and distress of the body. The Supersoul, however, is unperturbed by the actions and reactions of the body, thus He is distinct from the soul and is the suitable object of love. The existence of the Supersoul is inferred from the fact that the elements needed for the constitution and maintenance of the body are not manufactured by the soul. Nor does the soul maintain the material body in deep sleep when he is completely aloof from it.
In this way, to give knowledge about the Supersoul or Brahman, the characteristics of the jiva have been analyzed. Based on the common quality of consciousness between the jiva and Brahman the latter is explained as the non-dual reality, the subject of Srimad Bhagavatam.
This was all based on analysis of the individuals experience. Now Srila Jiva Gosvami begins a new analysis, based on the purpose of the universe.
Go to Section Fifty-six
Return to Section Fifty-four
