Vaisheshika-sutra with Commentary
by Nandalal Sinha | 1923 | 149,770 words | ISBN-13: 9789332869165
The Vaisheshika-sutra 2.2.12, English translation, including commentaries such as the Upaskara of Shankara Mishra, the Vivriti of Jayanarayana-Tarkapanchanana and the Bhashya of Chandrakanta. The Vaisheshika Sutras teaches the science freedom (moksha-shastra) and the various aspects of the soul (eg., it's nature, suffering and rebirth under the law of karma). This is sutra 2 (‘like existence, space is one’) contained in Chapter 2—Of the Five Bhutas, Time, and Space—of Book II (of substances).
Sūtra 2.2.12 (Like Existence, Space is one)
Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration, Word-for-word and English translation of Vaiśeṣika sūtra 2.2.12:
तत्त्वम्भावेन ॥ २.२.१२ ॥
tattvambhāvena || 2.2.12 ||
tattvam—unity; bhāvenā—by Existence.
12. The unity (of space is explained) by (the explanation of the unity of) Existence.
Commentary: The Upaskāra of Śaṅkara Miśra:
(English rendering of Śaṅkara Miśra’s commentary called Upaskāra from the 15th century)
Extending or attributing unity (to Space), he says:
[Read sūtra 2.2.12 above]
Unity is proved in Space, as in Existence, by the absence of difference in the marks of Space together with the non-existence of any differentiating mark. Separateness of one, i.e., individuality, also belongs to Space, because individuality constantly follows unity.—12.
Commentary: The Bhāṣya of Candrakānta:
(English translation of Candrakānta Tarkālaṅkāra’s Bhāṣya called the Vaiśeṣikabhāṣya from the 19th century)
According to Kaṇāda, it appears, there is but one Substance, variously called as Ether, Time, and Space. For, he has taken much pain to establish the difference of Ether from tangible things, Self, and Mind, but he has made no attempt to prove the difference of Ether from Time and Space as well. Nor has he attempted to prove the difference of Time and Space themselves from any other Substance. It may be, therefore, considered that with the difference of Ether, the difference of Time and Space also has been established. But it may be asked, if there be one Substance only, how does it come to be variously called as Ether, Time, and Space? He replies that this is due to the variety of effects produced by it (II ii. 13) and also to the variety of external conditions attending it (II, ii, 14, 15, and 16.)