Regarding Dhvani And Varna Theories

[Yasoda Jivan dasa]

Namaskāraḥ Respected Vidvajjanas,

While studying the concept of Śabda, I came across its twofold division—Dhvani and Varṇa. It is well known that the Naiyāyikas hold that varṇas are eternal, whereas the Mīmāṃsakas consider them non-eternal. In this context, I seek clarification on a few points related to this philosophical discussion:

1. Do the Mīmāṃsakas also accept the division of Śabda into Dhvani and Varṇa?

2. What are the arguments of the Naiyāyikas to establish that Dhvani is non-eternal, while Varṇas are eternal?

3. What are the views of the Naiyāyikas regarding the relationship between Bhāṣā, Varṇa, and Dhvani?

4. Interpretation of “Mṛdaṅgādibhāvo dhvaniḥ” and its modern implications

According to Naiyyayikas-Mṛdaṅgādibhāvo dhvaniḥ

—Dhvani is the sound produced by instruments such as the mṛdaṅga.

In modern practice, we record tāla and rāga (of mṛdaṅga and other instruments) using written varṇas. If dhvani is considered non-eternal by the Naiyāyikas, how do they interpret the continuity or reproducibility of these sounds in the context of musical notation and memory?

I submit these questions with due reverence to the learned scholars for their kind elucidation and guidance.

With humble regards,