唯識二十論述記 2.165

2.165

The commentary says: This second section has one and a half verses, which together are divided into two parts. The first verse explains the proof by direct perception (pratyakṣa); the latter half-verse explains the attachment to recollective retention. Within both of them, there is first an objection and then a refutation. This refers to [the positions of] the Saṃmatīyas, Sarvāstivādins, and others. To introduce this inquiry, they first discuss the superior means of cognition (pramāṇa) that settles [the existence of] phenomena, and only afterwards present the objection; this is that very discussion. 'Settling' means determining or evaluating; 'phenomena' refers to the cognized object (prameya). All conditioned and unconditioned phenomena are determined as to their existence or non-existence by means of the three or two means of cognition. 'Means of cognition' (pramāṇa) means measuring; like using a foot-rule to measure silks and damasks, where the foot-rule is the cognizer (pramāṇa), the silks and damasks are the cognized (prameya), and knowing their measure or number is the result of cognition (pramāṇa-phala). When minds and caittas cognize phenomena, they are said to have four aspects: the perceiving aspect (darśana-bhāga) is the cognizer; the objective aspect (nimitta-bhāga) is the cognized; the self-verifying aspect (svasaṃvitti-bhāga) is the result of cognition. When the self-verifying aspect thus cognizes the perceiving aspect, the perceiving aspect is the cognized, the self-verifying aspect is the cognizer, and the aspect that verifies self-verification (svasaṃvitti-saṃvitti-bhāga) is the result of cognition. When the aspect that verifies self-verification cognizes the self-verifying aspect, the self-verifying aspect is the cognized, the aspect that verifies self-verification is its cognizer, and this self-verifying aspect is also the result of cognition, because it can turn back and cognize it. If the third aspect cognizes the fourth, the fourth is the cognized, the third is the cognizer, and that fourth aspect is the result of cognition, because it can turn back and cognize it.