Avirodha literally, non-contradiction – the title of a chapter in Brahmasutra of Badarayana. Brahmasutra or Saririka Mimamsa is organized into four chapters, namely
- Samanvaya (reconciliation)
- Avirodha (non-contradiction)
- Sadhan (meditation)
- Phala (result)
The first chapter, Samanvaya, is aimed at establishing the
conclusion that the purport of all Upanishads in Brahman, which is omniscient,
which is the cause of creation and sustenance and withdrawal of the universe and
which is the essence of all.
The second chapter is titled Avirodha, because it
demonstrates the following
That the Smritis do not contradict the purport of Upanishads
That the theories projecting pradhana, atoms, etc., as the cause
of the universe are not supported by sound logic.
That he processes of creation as enunciated in different
Upanishads are not at variance with one another.
Thus, this chapter addresses the potential contradiction to
the conclusion presented in chapter one, emanating from different sources, and
shows that in reality no contradiction exists.
This chapter is divided into four parts. In the first, the
objections to the position that Brahman is the sole material and efficient cause
are addressed and refuted. The second part is devoted to a detailed refutation
of Samkhya, Vaiseshika, Bauddha, Jaina, Pashupata and Pancharatra schools. The
third part deals with seeming self-contradiction in different Upanishads with
respect to the creation of th elements, mind, intellect and self and provides
sound rebuttal. In the fourth chapter the conflicting issues regarding the
origination, nature, and functions of prana are discussed and resolved.