|
|
|
|
|
|
|
While texts are unchangingin the sense that their words are fixedrepeated meditative readings gradually change the reader's understanding of these words: "It is a matter of experience that though the meaning may be vaguely apprehended from a sentence uttered only once, people understand it fully as they progressively remove the false ideas standing in the way." (UMS IV.1.2)
12 If one already has clear knowledge of Brahman and of one's self, repeated readings meant to contribute to the acquisition of that knowledge are obviously unnecessary; but if one lacks that knowledge, rereading brings one gradually to it: "one false constituent may be discarded by one attempt at comprehension, and another by another. In this sense understanding is gradual." (UMS IV.1.2)13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vacaspati elucidates the process of learning that comes about due to diligent, repeated reading: "It is true that the immediate manifestation of Brahman is not the immediate fruit of scripture and reasoning; nevertheless only the consciousness which is prepared by knowing its object with the help of scripture and reasoning finally is able to reach that state of understanding which achieves the immediate manifestation of Brahman;14 cognition does not come quickly regarding the meaning of any sentence; and when we deal with a sentence such as 'You are that,' in which the meanings of the words are exceedingly hard to grasp, [cognition of] the sentence's proper meaning, which must be preceded by [apprehension of] its word meanings, will certainly not come quickly; rather, the knowledge of the word meanings will come most slowly . . . "15 After the adversary concedes that comprehension in ordinary reading may be improved by repetition, Vacaspati adds that knowledge of the self is no exception: "Although the [essentially] manifest self has no parts, it appears as if it has parts due to superimpositions and their [partial] removal, and so appears very much as if unmanifest. Hence, cognition occurs gradually, by means of [a gradually achieved comprehension of] the meaning of the sentence."16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No amount of repetition guarantees that one will understand the text one is reading; the words are unchanging, and do not become clearer unless one understands them. Nevertheless, |
|
|
|
|
|