[Advaita-l] Accepting Possibility of Error in Sastras

[Rajaram Venkataramani]

I sent the links to both sanskrit and english translation. Were you able to
check it? Basically in 77, the question is asked regarding the
impossibility of difference of opinion on real things. Then Madhusudana
answers that in 78 saying that difference of opinion is possible because
the same object is seen as a pillar, man, demon etc. The he himself poses
the question that difference of opinion due to mind is possible but how can
scriptures be wrong with respect to difference between jiva, Ishwara etc.
In 79, Madhusudana says that the differences are creations of the human
mind and merely repeated by the scriptures. Then he says that even the
scriptures may state something that is merely an outcome of delusion!
bhramasiddhasya apishrutyA anuvAdasambhavAt.
The scriptures are not necessarily reliable on anything other than the
ultimate reality - viz  non dual brahman -  not even on unseen results of
karma - because they could be reflecting the delusions of the human mind
seems to be the opinion of the acharya.
 On Sat, Dec 29, 2012 at 8:14 PM, Sunil Bhattacharjya <
sunil_bhattacharjya at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Dear friends,
>
> It will be good if you can give the transliterated version of the text of
> the V.78 & 79, i n case typing out the Devanagari script is a botheration.
> May be Sastriji can help.
>
> Regards,
> Sunil KB
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>  From: Sunil Bhattacharjya <sunil_bhattacharjya at yahoo.com>
> To: A discussion group for Advaita Vedanta <
> advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org>
> Sent: Friday, December 28, 2012 5:34 PM
> Subject: Re: [Advaita-l] Accepting Possibility of Error in Sastras
>
>
> Dear friends,
>
> Quote
> However, we see that Madhusudana says in Siddanthabindu (v 79),
> "The scriptures may state something that is merely the outcome of
> delusion".
> Unquote
>
> I shall be thankful if RV or any other member can kindly give the Sanskrit
> texts of v. 78 &79 of Siddhantabindu in Devanagari script (unicode).
>
> Regards,
> Sunil KB
>
>
> ________________________________
>  From: Rajaram Venkataramani <rajaramvenk at gmail.com>
> To: A discussion group for Advaita Vedanta <
> advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org>
> Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2012 6:22 AM
> Subject: [Advaita-l] Accepting Possibility of Error in Sastras
>
> In many religions, the scriptures are considered inerrant. We also consider
> the sastras to be the authroity. There is a lot of logic given to establish
> why sabda is pramana. There are stories such as Kumarila Bhatta's
> where complete acceptance of the authority of the sastras is
> reinforced. However, we see that Madhusudana says in Siddanthabindu (v 79),
> "The scriptures may state something that is merely the outcome of
> delusion". Here he admits that sastras can be erroneous. Though the
> tradition accepts the vedic model for creation, we see that there is a
> recognition of a contradictions there that is to be resolved through
> reason. For example, Gaudapada says (I.23), "In the matter of being
> created, whether from the already existent or from the non-existent also,
> the Sruti is equal, that is
>  supporting both views. What is associated with
> or fortified with logical reasoning holds not the other".  The importance
> of reasoning is also stressed by Madhusudana, "The creation of names and
> forms by Him who does the triplication in BSB 2.4.20 in only an explanatory
> statement and cannot nullify quintuplication which is established by
> reasoning".  Sankara himself says, forget where, "Even a thousand sruti
> statements cannot make fire cold." In his bhashyas, we often see him quote
> sruti and then the opponent makes a logical counter to sruti. Sankara does
> not dismiss off the opponent saying that there cannot be a logical
> opposition because already the point has been established using sruti. He
> defends his position using logic.
>
> Are there conditions in which sastras can be accepted as erroneous? I am
> not talking about a presumption of error in sastras without evidence. But
> when there is concrete evidence
>  based on pratyaksha and anumana that shows
> that the sastras are not correct, what is the valid traditional response?
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