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Re: Question: scriptural basis for dharma-bhUta-jnAna

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Martin Gansten • March 12, 2002 


I am not sure whether Ramanuja cites any scriptures in explicit support of
his view of consciousness (j~naana) as both substance and attribute; but he
does give an example (in the Mahasiddhanta section of his Sribhashya 1.1.1):

'A lamp, having illumination for its nature, shines by itself, and also
illuminates other things by its lustre. That is to say, just as one single
substance of light exists as lustre and as possessing lustre ... so the
self, having the sole form of consciousness (cit), [also] has awareness
(caitanya) for its attribute. Having the form of consciousness means being
self-illuminating.'

The attributive function of consciousness is also a reasonable conclusion
based on scriptural passages denoting the self as conscious, or a 'knower'
(j~na, j~naat.r), such as Prashna Up. 4.9, or Brahmasutra 2.3.18.

Ramanuja Dasa,
Martin Gansten



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