CHAPTER FIVE
Moon on the Branch
I
n the Sanskrit language, the logic used to explain that which is beyond our understand ing is called, çäkhä-candra-nyäya, or ‘moon-onthe-branch logic.’ One may ask, “Where is the moon?” And someone may reply, “Look over there, the moon is sitting on the branch of that tree.” In truth, the moon is millions of miles away from the Earth, and its position in the sky is indicated by pointing to it as it apparently sits on the branch. Similarly, regarding eternal, spiritual exist ence, mundane language can only give a scant indication of the truth. No example or analogy can fully explain it. By way of illustration, one may say, “Çré Kåñëa is beautiful; His complexion is black like that of a fresh rain-cloud or tamäla tree.” However, is He actually black like a cloud or a tamäla tree? Can any comparison be completely accurate? His beauty is unparalleled.