The unreal can indicate the real

[V Subrahmanian]

In the Brahma sutra bhashya 2.1.14, Shankara, while saying that the Veda, though not absolutely real, paramārthika,  अत्र वेदा अवेदा (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.3.22)  yet can produce un-sublatable result of moksha, through jnanam, gives the analogy of a dream that can indicate a future event in the waking.  He also gives the example of scripts that are not absolute yet producing the knowledge of sound that is absolute:   तथा अकारादिसत्याक्षरप्रतिपत्तिर्दृष्टा रेखानृताक्षरप्रतिपत्तेः ।   'rekha' = the script written in any language to represent sound. In this short video we see a demonstration of Shankara's statement. In fact even with reference to a single language, we do come across changes in the way a particular script is rendered.  We ourselves are witness to such changes in Kannda, Tamil, etc. in our own lifetime.  

https://youtube.com/shorts/pKkYQtEqIdI?si=pjJKSZI-H8NoRtWL 

warm regards

subbu