Note 234 — SA@NKARA'S INTRODUCTION (continued 3)

Footnote 234:

(return)

Here there seems to be a certain discrepancy between the views of the Sûtra writer and Sa@nkara. Govindânanda notes that according to the Bhâshyakrit ajâ means simply mâyâ—which interpretation is based on prakarana—while, according to the Sûtra-krit, who explains ajâ on the ground of the Chândogya-passage treating of the three primary elements, ajâ denotes the aggregate of those three elements constituting an avântaraprakriti.—On Sa@nkara's explanation the term ajâ presents no difficulties, for mâyâ is ajâ, i.e. unborn, not produced. On the explanation of the Sûtra writer, however, ajâ cannot mean unborn, since the three primary elements are products. Hence we are thrown back on the rûdhi signification of ajâ, according to which it means she-goat. But how can the avântara-prakriti be called a she-goat? To this question the next Sûtra replies.